37. Mr. Adamsonasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that 2,489 out of 8,652 permits of exemption in force under the Agricultural Wages Act at 30th September, 1937, allowed the payment of rates of wages which were lower than the minimum rates otherwise applicable by 10s. or more per week; and whether, in view of the low wages payable in agriculture, he will give the reasons for which such substantial reductions were permitted?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithThe Act places the entire responsibility for granting permits of exemption from the minimum rates of wages and for specifying any conditions as to the wages to be paid, in the hands of the Agricultural Wages Committees which comprise members representing workers. While I am not in a position to state the reasons for the decisions of committees in the cases referred to, I have no reason to suppose that all relevant matters did not receive adequate consideration.
Mr. AdamsonWill the right hon. and gallant Gentleman indicate what number of those who were exempted were farm workers who had reached 65 years of age?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithThat is rather another question, which, I think, ought to be put down.
§ Mr. PalingIn view of the fact that agricultural wages are low to start with, and that wages in these cases are being reduced by ten shillings or more, ought not the Minister to know why this is being done?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithThe committees are not obliged to specify what is being done.
§ Mr. PalingIn view of the fact that it is done, and if the Minister does not know, ought not he to get to know and tell this House the reason?
§ Mr. T. SmithCan the Minister say whether the terms of the resolution are general, or whether it applies to particular localities?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithI cannot say as regards the localities.