§ 62. Mr. HALLSasked the Minister of Agriculture how many agreements have been arrived at concerning wages and hours of agricultural labourers under 467 the new scheme of conciliation; and in how many cases the farmers' side have agreed to the same being registered?
Sir A. BOSCAWENThe number of areas in England and Wales in which the agricultural conciliation committees have made agreements is 50, and in five areas agreements have been submitted to me for confirmation. The number of agreements in operation at present is 44, of which three are confirmed agreements.
§ Mr. HALLSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that for the last few weeks in Lancashire hundreds of labourers have been locked out for refusing to accept the 54 hours' week, and does he not see that if he had continued the Wages Board he would have prevented the possibility of that happening?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is a matter for debate.