§ 43. Major COLFOXasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will make a statement as to the deputation received by him recently representative of the agricultural workers of Dorset; what were the grounds on which this interview was sought; and what the results of it have been or are likely to be?
§ Mr. THURTLE (Lord of the Treasury)I have been asked to reply. On the 20th April my right hon. Friend received a deputation from the National Union of Agricultural Workers, who desired to make representations in regard to recent-decisions of certain of the Agricultural Wages Committees. In the ease of Dorset his attention was called to a notice of proposal issued by the Agricultural Wages Committee for that county to increase the hours on which the weekly minimum wage is based. Before a proposal issued under the Agricultural Wages (Regulation) Act can be put into effect, a committee has to allow an interval during which any objections may be lodged for their consideration. My right hon. Friend understands that the Dorset-Committee is meeting to consider the objections, if any, on the 15th May, and it remains to be seen what the result of that meeting will be.