§ 80. Mr. LEESasked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that the Leicestershire and Rutland agricultural wages committee propose to increase the working hours in agriculture in these two counties to 56½ hours a week for eight months of the year and to increase the working hours for the other four months in Rutland to 54 a week without any increase in wages; and will he now consider introducing a Bill to give to the Agricultural Wages Board full powers to review and revise decisions arrived at by the agricultural wages committees?
§ Dr. ADDISONI am aware that this committee has given notice of a proposal to vary, as stated, the hours on which the weekly minimum wage is based. As, however, I informed my hon. Friend on the 19th February, I am afraid legislation giving wider powers to the Agricultural Wages Board is impracticable at the present time.
§ Mr. LEESCan the right hon. Gentleman say why so much time is given to benefit the farmer and not the worker?
§ Dr. ADDISONWe all recognise that, if we get the industry into a sound condition, it will be in a position to pay good wages.