30. Mr. De la Bèreasked the Minister of Agriculture whether it is the intention of the Government to introduce a Bill to amend the Agricultural Wages Act?
§ Mr. W. S. MorrisonNo, Sir.
Mr. De la BèreIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that everybody interested in agriculture is demanding a wage for the skilled agricultural worker commensurate with that paid to the skilled industrial worker, and are not the Government prepared to do something to achieve that result?
§ Mr. MorrisonI do not think that that has anything to do with the Agricultural Wages Act.
§ Mr. T. WilliamsIs it not now time that the Government amended the Agricultural Wages (Regulation) Act by procuring for the workers a national board instead of the present machinery?
§ Mr. MorrisonI think the Agricultural Wages Act has worked very well for 13 years, and I see no reason at all for altering its procedure at the present moment. As regards the first supplementary question, I would point out that the operation of the Act secures that increased prosperity in agriculture is reflected in wages.