§ 9. Mr. T. Smith (for Mr. J. Morgan)asked the Minister of Agriculture what objections he has to the setting-up of a central wages board for agriculture; and whether he has consulted the agricultural workers' union on the issue recently?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithThe question whether minimum agricultural wages should be fixed by a central board or by local committees has been the subject of considerable controversy in the past. It was discussed with a deputation representing the two agricultural labour unions which I received last week, and I then promised that I would try to arrange a meeting between the parties concerned— under my chairmanship if that was agreeable to them—at which the whole question might be more fully explored.
§ Mr. SmithDoes that mean that the right hon. and gallant Gentleman is favourable to the committee being convened for that purpose?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithI am not going to commit myself until the meeting has taken place.
§ Mr. T. WilliamsSeeing that the prices of fat stock, pigs and different commodities are now being fixed at a higher level 1658 than they were before the war, does not the right hon. and gallant Gentleman think that the agricultural labourers are entitled to the same consideration he is giving to the Farmers' Union?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithThat is the sort of question that will be discussed, and with regard to the weekly meetings, I am now making arrangements to have similar meetings with the workers' representatives.
§ Mr. WilliamsWill the right hon. and gallant Gentleman tell the National Farmers' Union representatives that if they continue their opposition to a national wages board, it will not meet with the general approval of the House?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithWe will see that afterwards.
§ Mr. T. SmithIn view of the fact that the public believes that agricultural workers are entitled to a reasonable wage, is not this one of the questions on which the Minister ought to make up his mind at the earliest possible moment?