§ 22. Mr. LEACHasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that there is a growing practice among catchment boards, such as that of the Great Ouse and Internal Drainage Boards, manned by farming interests, to pay their navvy labourers the same wage rates as agricultural labourers and that, with frequent broken time, higher rents, and travel costs, this is in reality a much lower standard; and will he take steps to remedy this state of things?
§ Mr. ELLIOTI have no power to intervene in regard to rates of wages paid by catchment and other drainage boards except in the case of schemes in respect of which a Government grant is being 1647 paid. One of the conditions attaching to such grants is that the rate of wages of each class of workmen should be that commonly recognised in the district for the type of work. If the hon. Member is of opinion that this condition is not being complied with in any individual case and will send me particulars, I shall be pleased to have the matter investigated.
§ Mr. ELLIOTIt would need to be some particular case or cases, rather than that of the general practice of some board.
§ Mr. LEACHCan the right hon. Gentleman take steps to discountenance by any means this wretched practice of keeping wages down to the lowest possible level?
§ Mr. ELLIOTIt would be more efficacious if you get some particular instance and make a complaint about that.