HC Deb 25 April 1923 vol 163 cc453-4
46. Mr. LINFIELD

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government will, when submitting their proposals for the relief of agriculture, provide that the farm labourer shall in no case be paid a rate of wages less than that of the terms arrived at in the recent settlement in Norfolk?

The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Sir Robert Sanders)

I have been asked to reply. It is proposed to introduce a Bill to amend Section 4 of the Corn Production Acts (Repeal) Act, 1921, which deals with the formation of conciliation committees in agriculture with a view to making compulsory the registration of agreements arrived at by conciliation committees. These agreements are, however, of a voluntary nature, and the Government cannot impose a condition such as is suggested by the hon. Member.

Mr. LINFIELD

Are we to understand that the Government do not consider it necessary to inquire into the wages paid to farm labourers while they are inquiring into the agricultural position?

Sir R. SANDERS

That was not my statement.

Mr. MACPHERSON

Will this Section apply to Scotland?

Sir R. SANDERS

I should like notice of that question.