HC Deb 15 April 1931 vol 251 c179
33. Mr. LAWTHER

asked the hon. Member for Central Leeds, as representing the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, if he will state the result of the inquiry into the wages and conditions of labour of men employed on the Commissioners' estates in Weardale, county Durham?

Mr. DENMAN (Second Church Estates Commissioner)

The wages and conditions of labour of the adult workers employed in the Commissioners' woods are substantially better than the minimum prescribed by the Agricultural Wages Board for the area and than those of workers employed locally by the Forestry Commission. There are other matters still under investigation about which I will communicate with the hon. Member later.

Mr. LAWTHER

Has the hon. Member considered the conditions of labour, hours, and wages paid by the Durham County Council?

Mr. DENMAN

The Forestry Commission are the proper body to set the standard of wages for forestry work, but my hon. Friend can hardly expect the Church to show a superiority of more than 20 per cent.

Mr. LAWTHER

In view of the fact that they are employers, does the hon. Member not think that they are the very body to set an example, seeing that example is better than precept?

Mr. DENMAN

I suggest that an increase of 20 per cent. is a very adequate example.