§ 58. Mr. LAMBERTasked the Minister of Agriculture if he will give particulars of the circumstances where an inspector of the Board found that two agricultural workers were working 63 hours and 53 hours per week for a wage of 20s., and where one labourer was receiving 17s. per week?
Mr. SMITHIn one case the man was a farm worker and milker working 62 hours a week, including Sundays, and in the second he was a general farm labourer working 52 hours per week. Both these men were able-bodied and married. My right hon. Friend has no details of the circumstances relating to the man who is receiving 17s. per week, as he was not among those interviewed personally by the Ministry's inspector.
§ Mr. LAMBERTCan we have the names and all particulars of the men who are paying agricultural labourers at these scandalously sweated rates?
§ Mr. LAMBERTAs this information comes from an inspector of the Ministry of Agriulture, is not the House of Commons entitled to the information that is furnished to the Ministry by an inspector whom the taxpayer pays?
§ Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKWould not this be better dealt with by passing a Minimum Wage Bill?