§ 37. Mr. SHEPHERDasked the Minister of Agriculture the number of prosecutions under the Agricultural Wages (Regulation) Act, 1924, during the last year to the nearest convenient date; the number of convictions; the amount of fines imposed; and the number of inspectors employed under this Act for this work?
§ Mr. F. C. THOMSON (Lord of the Treasury)I have been asked to reply. The number of prosecutions which were instituted under the Agricultural Wages (Regulation) Act, 1924, during the year ended 14th July was 103. Convictions were obtained in 80 cases, and fines amounting to £225 13s. 0d. were imposed. The number of inspectors at present employed under the Act is 16.
§ Mr. SHEPHERDDoes the Minister not think there ought to be a great increase in the number of inspectors in view of the large number of men there are who are being badly paid and dare not complain because of intimidation and victimization?
§ Mr. THOMSONI understand that since last December the number of inspectors has been increased by five, and that they are now able to make test inspections.