LOW Pay Commissioner Lawrie Dewar talked to local firms during a visit to Bolton.

The meeting at Nortex Mill in Chorley Old Road involved two members of the Forum of Private Business - Kenmar Products (based in Nortex Mill) and Indespension Ltd of Belmont Road.

The Commissioner's fact-finding visit was part of the Commission's deliberations on the level of the Minimum Wage, which is due to come into operation by April 1999.

Unions are demanding that it should be more than £4 an hour, but the Commission is widely expected to set the figure close to £3.50.

Heidi Riley, managing director of Indespension, a trailer manufacturer employing 285 workers, said today that Mr Dewar had been "extremely receptive" and had appeared to listen very carefully to their views.

She believes the level of the Minimum Wage should only be part of the general discussion.

"Whatever it ends up as there is going to be a knock-on effect," she said. "My concern is that people have forgotten that."

Kenmar, which supplies textile products to the nursery trade, employs about 35 people.

Bill Wood, joint owner with his wife, said they had a wide-ranging discussion with the commissioner.

"Depending on the rate at which it is set, it could have an effect on our business," he said. "We told the commissioner that."

Mr Wood said Mr Dewar had confirmed press reports that there would be no regional and industrial sector differentation. The Commission is due to announce its recommended Minimum Wage level shortly.

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