HC Deb 08 February 1926 vol 191 cc616-7
40. Mr. LAMB

asked the Minister of Agriculture what was the total cost of the Agricultural Tribunal of Investigation, including travelling, secretarial expenses, and cost of printing the interim and final Reports; which, if any, of the recommendations of the tribunal have been definitely adopted; and which, if any, of the recommendations of the tribunal are now under consideration by the Government with a view to adoption?

Mr. GUINNESS

As the reply is necessarily long, I propose, with my hon. Friend's permission to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the answer:

The total cost of the tribunal, including the cost of printing the Reports, was £1,344 4s. 9d. The secretarial work was carried out by a permanent officer of the Department in addition to his ordinary duties and without extra remuneration.

The following statements show (a) the recommendations which have been definitely adopted, and (b) those now under consideration with a view to adoption. I would add that the recommendations in paragraphs 17 and 20 of the second interim Report for a subsidy on arable land, coupled with a minimum wage of 30s., were adopted in a modified form and placed before the country by the Government of the day at the General. Election in November, 1923, but failed to find acceptance and have therefore been abandoned.

Recommendations. Remarks.
Paragraph 25:
Local Rates. — (a) Increased fixed Exchequer grant under Act of 1896 to cover actual deficit. Agricultural Rates Act, 1923, and Rating and Valuation Act, 1925, have given more relief to agriculture by reducing rates to one-quarter.
(b) Reduce rates on farm buildings to one-half. Rating and Valuation Act will reduce-rates on buildings to one-quarter.
Paragraph 29:
Hope.—Duty of 20s. per cwt. with one-third Empire preference. Recommendation would not be effective, therefore duty of £4 per cwt. imposed by Finance Act, 1925.
Paragraph 31:
Sugar Beet.—Remission of Excise Duty should be continued long enough to establish the industry. Too uncertain, therefore, 10 years' subsidy under British Sugar (Subsidy) Act, 1925.
Paragraph 32:
Milk.—Imported preserved liquid milk in tins should have analysis of contents plainly stated, and dried milk certified as unadulterated. Regulations issued prescribing standards for imported dried and condensed milk.
Paragraph 33:
Milk.—State should actively encourage formation of co-operative milk depots, cheese factories, &c., by giving loans, &c. Loans available to such societies on very favourable terms.
Paragraph 34:
Marking Imported Produce.—Imports of some classes of agricultural produce should be marked to indicate country of origin: Government Bill introduced last year, but dropped owing to lack of time. Notice of introduction of new Bill already given.
Paragraphs. 35–38:
Agricultural Wages.—Recommend establishment of about six District Wages Boards for England and Wales, with full executive powers, and no Central Board. Better plan of County Wages Committees having complete power to fix minimum rates, &c., and Central Board to act only in default was adopted in Agricultural Wages Act, 1924.
Paragraph 39:
Relief of Rural Unemployment.—(a) Drainage relief schemes should be prepared early in the year. (a) Carried out in 1924 and 1925
(b) Afforestation schemes should be utilised for relief of unemployment. (b) This is being done and larger provisions made.