§ 54. Captain TERRELLasked the Prime Minister how he proposes to re-establish Agricultural Wages Boards; whether legislation and, if so, of what nature will be needed; whether these boards will possess compulsory powers and how they will be composed; and how the farmers are to be enabled to pay higher wages without any assistance to permit them to do so?
§ 101. Lieut. - Colonel WOODWARKasked the Minister of Agriculture what steps he is taking to restore the agricultural wages boards to secure a living wage for the agricultural workers?
§ The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Mr. Buxton)I will answer these questions together. I regret that I am not yet in a position to give details of the proposals for the better regulation of agricultural wages, which I hope to place before the House at an early date.
§ Captain TERRELLCan the right hon. Gentleman see his way clear to answer the last part of the question—"how the farmers are to be enabled to pay higher wages without any assistance to permit them to do so"? The Minister has simply swept the whole thing on one side.
§ Colonel ASHLEYMay I press the Minister to reply?
§ Mr. ERNEST BROWNWould it be possible, in the interests of the agricultural Members of this House, to have questions answered by the Minister of Agriculture at an earlier stage of the proceedings?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat does not arise out of the question.
§ Captain TERRELLMay I press the Minister for an answer as to when we may expect this legislation?
§ Mr. BUXTONThe subject raised is too large and too important to be dealt with by question and answer, and I refer my hon. Friend to the statement which I made in the Debate last Thursday.
§ Colonel ASHLEYIs it not the fact that the obvious duty of a Minister of the Crown is to answer the questions which are put down on the Paper?
§ Mr. BUXTONThat is a matter for argument. I cannot add anything to what. I have said.