§ 37. Commander EYRES - MONSELLasked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he will take into consideration the position of market gardeners, who are now called upon to pay the minimum wage, but who have not the advantage enjoyed by farmers of obtaining minimum prices for their produce; whether he will guarantee a supply of sugar to jam factories, and, as this would place the jam manufacturers in a favourable position with regard to the growers, whether he will fix for the latter a minimum price for plums, etc., sold to the jam factories; and whether he will endeavour to secure adequate railway transport for market garden produce, especially during the months of July, August, and September, in view of the perishable nature of such produce?
§ Sir R. WINFREYThe position of market gardeners has not been overlooked by the Government, whose proposals, however, in the Bill before the House deal only with the production of corn. I understand the Sugar Commission have undertaken to allow to the jam manufacturers the same supply of sugar, as far as is possible, as they were allowed last year. Every, effort, is being made to secure adequate railway transport for market garden produce at all times. In view of the general shortage of food and the prohibition of imports of fruit, the question of fixing a minimum price for plums and other fruit is not likely to arise.
§ Mr. RAFFANDo I understand the hon. Gentleman to say that the minimum wage in the Bill only applies to men engaged in the production of corn?
§ Sir R. WINFREYOh, no.
§ Mr. RAFFANDoes it apply to market gardeners?
§ Sir R. WINFREYTo all men engaged in agriculture.