§ 13. Mr. STEPHENasked the Minister of Agriculture what is the percentage increase in agricultural workers' average earnings over those of 1914; and how this percentage compares with the increase in the cost of living?
§ The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Mr. Guinness)No precise comparisons can be made on the subject, as statistics are not available of the actual earnings of the various classes of agricultural workers. The average, however, of the weekly minimum rates of wages at present in force under the Agricultural Wages (Regulation) Act for ordinary adult male workers shows an increase of 76 per cent. on the estimated average weekly wage in 1914. This comparison takes no account of overtime payments nor of extra earnings at special seasons, and no allowance is made for the shorter hours now worked. The statistics compiled by the Ministry of Labour with regard to the cost of living show that the 19 average level of retail prices on the 1st October, 1927, was approximately 67 per cent. above that of July, 1914.