§ 17. Mr. T. WILLIAMSasked the Minister of Agriculture how many cases under the Agricultural Wages (Regulation) Act, 1924, were investigated by inspectors during the first four months of this year; in how many cases proceedings were taken in court; how many convictions were registered; and the average fines, excluding arrears of wages?
§ Mr. ELLIOTThe number of cases investigated under the Agricultural Wages (Regulation) Act during the first four months of this year was 880. Police court proceedings were taken in 28 cases, in 23 of which convictions were registered, with an average fine of approximately £3.
§ Mr. LUNNIs the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that the inspectors are not biased in the direction of supporting the farmer rather than the agricultural labourer?
§ Mr. ELLIOTOh, yes, Sir. I think that it would be a very wrong suggestion to make that officials were biased in favour of one section of the community as against another.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the amount of these fines is helping to retard farmers from negotiating the 1924 Act?
§ Mr. ELLIOTI am afraid that I do not quite understand the question.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think that it is a paying proposition for farmers to break the law when fines are so small?
§ Mr. ELLIOTNo, I do not think that that would be a fair suggestion. After all, the law is being generally enforced, and as the hon. Gentleman is aware, we put on additional inspectors from the 1st April this year to see that it is observed.
§ Mr. D. GRENFELLIs the right hon. Gentleman insisting that in all cases which have been before the court, and in which awards have been made, the arrears are fully paid up.
§ Mr. ELLIOTThere are instances of arrears being collected by the court, but I should require further notice of that particular question.