§ 41. Mr. De Chairasked the Minister of Agriculture the average statutory level of agricultural wages in force 1:o-day in England and that in force in Norfolk, respectively, including any future wage rates agreed upon, compared with those in force on 14th November, 1935?
§ Mr. RamsbothamThe average of the weekly minimum wages for ordinary adult male agricultural workers fixed by the various agricultural wages committees in England and Wales, including revised rates which agricultural wages committees have given notice of proposal to fix, is 34s. per week, the corresponding average on 14th November, 1935, being 1686 31s. 10½d. per week. The present minimum rate in Norfolk for such workers is 33s. 6d. per week, but the Norfolk Agricultural Wages Committee has given notice of a proposal to increase it to 34s. 6d. as from 26th December. The corresponding rate in force in Norfolk on 24th November, 1935, was 31s. 6d. per week. As I have indicated, these are minimum rates. No comparable figures are available as to the wages actually paid to agricultural workers.
§ Mr. ThorneDoes the Minister think we shall get A-1 men on wages like that?