§ 79. Mr. BONWICKasked the Minister of Agriculture what are the rates of agricultural wages now in force in Suffolk and Cambridgeshire, respectively?
§ Sir R. SANDERSI understand that the wages now prevailing in the counties referred to are about 25s. a week.
§ Mr. NOEL BUXTON(by Private Notice) asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the breakdown of the conferences of representatives of the farmers and the farm workers at Norwich, arranged by the Ministry of Agriculture, he will take steps to apply to the farming industry the provisions of the Trade Boards Acts?
§ Sir R. SANDERSThe question as to whether the Trade Boards Acts could be applied to the farming industry without fresh legislation is a matter for the Minister of Labour, but I believe it is, at any rate, doubtful whether the Acts could be so applied.
§ Mr. BUXTONWill the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that delay in settling the strike involves the possible loss of the barley crops in Norfolk, and will he undertake to maintain the policy of protecting the standard of life which has been so long embodied in the Trade Boards Acts?