§ 74. Mr. F. GOULDasked the Minister of Agriculture the comparative prices of farm produce in 1914 and the present market prices, the pre-War agricultural wage rates and hours worked, and the rates and hours obtaining to-day?
Mr. SMITHIt is estimated that market prices of agricultural products in England and Wales in April, 1924, were, on the whole, 56 per cent. above the prices of these products in April, 1914. It is estimated that the average wage of ordinary labourers in 1914 was equivalent to about 18s. per week, as compared with 28s. at the present time. I am unable to estimate the average hours worked in 1914, but the present working week is about 52 hours for England as a whole.
§ have been slaughtered during the present outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease; and what is the value of them in total?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of AGRICULTURE (Mr. W. R. Smith)The total number of cattle slaughtered or authorised to be slaughtered, up to and including the 20th instant, is 103,775, and the estimated compensation payable for these animals is £2,873,360.