§ 77. Mr. T. COOKasked the Minister of Agriculture the number of counties in which there has been an increase in agricultural wages since 1931 and the number of counties in which there has either been a reduction or no increase in wages?
§ The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Mr. Elliot)Including decisions of agricultural wages committees not yet actually operative, the weekly minimum rates of wages for ordinary adult male workers in England and Wales at the present time show increases on the rates in force at the end of 1931 in 27 of the 47 committee areas. In six areas the weekly minimum rate is now lower than in 1931, although the reductions made in 1932 and 1933 have been partly offset by subsequent increases and in two of these areas the hours covered by the weekly rate are less. In the other 14 areas the weekly minimum rate is at the same level as in 1931. but in four of these areas the hours in respect of which the weekly wage is payable have been reduced.
§ Mr. PALINGIs the increase in wages as much as the farmers have received in subsidies?