§ 48. Mr. FREEMANasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will state the total number of farms inspected for the purpose of the administration of the Agricultural Wages Act; the total number of prosecutions; the total number of infringements; the total number of claims for arrears; and the total amount recovered during each year since the passing of the Act?
§ The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Dr. Addison)As the reply is in the form of a tabular statement I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the reply:
| AGRICULTURAL WAGES (REGULATION) ACT, 1924. | ||||
| Year ended 30th Sept. | No. of farms inspected. | No. of prosecutions. | No. of claims for arrears. | Amount recovered. |
| £ | ||||
| 1925 | 389 | 17 | — | 850 |
| 1926 | 1,277 | 82 | 691 | 6,150 |
| 1927 | 2,275 | 98 | 1,061 | 13,420 |
| 1928 | 2,558 | 93 | 1,119 | 11,910 |
| 1929 | 2,378 | 97 | 1,099 | 12,426 |
| 1930 | 4,523 | 175 | 1,630 | 18,542 |
| Totals | 13,400 | 562 | 5,600 | 63,298 |
§ It is not possible to state the number of infringements of the Orders as many cases arise where, owing to disputed evidence, it is impossible to determine whether in fact an infringement has taken place.
2141§ Mr. FREEMANDo these figures not indicate that there has been very wide evasion of this Act in the past?
§ Dr. ADDISONThey do indicate considerable evasion, but I think it will be seen that the efforts to recover the amounts have been greater than in past years.
§ Mr. FREEMANAre the powers possessed by the right hon. Gentleman sufficient to deal with this matter?
§ Dr. ADDISONThey go a long way.
| — | Number of Premium Bulls. | Total Number of Bulls on 4th June, 1930. | Percentage Proportion of Premium Bulls to Total. | Amount provided in Financial Year, 1930–31 for State grants in respect of Premium Bulls. | |
| £ | |||||
| England and Wales | … | 1,543 | 82,816 | 1.9 | 20,900 |
| Scotland | … | 666* | 17,147 | 3.9 | 8,700 |
| * Excluding bulls supplied, on loan free of charge, to crofters grazing committees under the Scheme administered in the congested districts of Scotland. The number of such bulk on loan during 1930 was 279. |
§ Mr. TURTONWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of increasing the number of premium bulls to at least the number in Scotland?
§ Mr. HAYCOCKMay I ask what is a premium bull?
§ Dr. ADDISONIt is an animal in respect of which a premium is paid.
§ Sir NICHOLAS GRATTAN-DOYLEHas the right hon. Gentleman's Department succeeded in the elimination of the scrub bull?