HC Deb 12 March 1931 vol 249 cc1383-4
79. Mr. LEES

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the fact that public subsidies are paid to the farmers in Suffolk in respect of sugar-beet, he will consider the advisability of making it a condition of the granting of such subsidies that higher rates of wages shall be paid to the employés in this industry?

Dr. ADDISON

The subsidy under the British Sugar Subsidy Act, 1925, is not paid direct to beet growers but to the companies owning the factories where the sugar is manufactured. Section 3 of the British Sugar Subsidy Act, 1925, makes provision for fair wages to be paid by factory companies in receipt of subsidy by saying that the wages paid shall, except where paid at a rate agreed upon by a joint industrial council representing the employer and the persons employed, not be less than would be payable if the manufacture were carried on under a contract made between the Minister and the employer containing a fair wage clause which complied with the requirements of any resolution of the House of Commons for the time being in force, applicable to contracts of Government Departments. The wages of all farm workers are subject to the minimum rates fixed by the Agricultural Wages Committees.

Mr. LEES

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the attempt to reduce the wages of the workers referred to from 30s. to 28s. a week; and is he not prepared to take steps, or can he not find time to take steps to secure a guaranteed rate of wages for these workers?

Mr. GRANVILLE

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in Suffolk some of the growers are unable to renew their contracts with the factories receiving the subsidy?

Dr. ADDISON

I am not aware of that, but I do not think it arises out of the question.

Mr. KINLEY

Will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to ensure that where the wages are reduced the subsidy also shall be reduced?

Dr. ADDISON

I may say that I am doing everything I can in connection with the matter mentioned by my hon. Friend the Member for Belper (Mr. Lees). With regard to the subsidy, the growers in Suffolk are not receiving it because the Anglo-Dutch sugar factory are not making use of the offer.

Mr. LEES

Is there not an arrangement by which the grower of beet is guaranteed a certain price from the factory?

Dr. ADDISON

There is some arrangement prevailing, but it does not prevail, I am sorry to say, in Suffolk except as regards one factory.

Mr. GRANVILLE

Are not the majority of sugar-beet workers pieceworkers?