§ 45. Mr. NALL-CAINasked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the unemployment which obtains amongst agricultural labourers at the present time as the result of the inability of many farmers to pay the minimum wage rates, he will consider introducing legislation to amend the Truck Acts in such a way as to enable the Agricultural Wages Committee to reckon as payment of wages, in lieu of payment in cash, a certain limited proportion of agricultural produce required by any agricultural labourer and which he now has to 'purchase at retail prices?
§ Major ELLIOTContracts with servants in husbandry are already exempted from the principal provisions of the Truck Acts. I would also remind my hon. Friend that in accordance with the provisions of the Agricultural Wages (Regulation) Act Agricultural Wages Committees have been authorised to allow such "benefits and advantages" as they think fit to be reckoned in part payment of wages at the minimum rates.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSIs not the right hon. and gallant Gentleman satisfied that the wages committees have ample power to deal with payments in kind without further relieving the employers as sag-crested?
§ Mr. RHYS DAVIESWill the Minister in considering this subject, bear in mind that it, is a matter of considerable importance?