§ 48. Mr. Pearsonasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is satisfied that the work performed by the secretaries to the Agricultural Wages Committees in Wales and Monmouthshire can be done without excessive overtime; whether he is aware that much work is involved in translating orders, etc., into Welsh, which are over and above the normal duties of the secretaries in England; and whether due allowance is made in staff and remuneration for this additional work?
§ Major Sir James Edmondson (Vice-Chamberlain of the Household)Although my right hon. Friend is aware that the work of the Agricultural Wages Committees in Wales and Monmouth shire, as in England, may on occasions involve pressure on the time of the secretaries, he does not think that, taking the year as a whole, excessive overtime is necessary. In the case of certain committees in Wales the secretary is required to undertake translations into the Welsh language, but the total work involved in the year is comparatively small, and there appears to be no justification for any special allowance for staff or remuneration on that account, particularly as the amount of work falling on the Welsh secretaries in other connections is, he understands, less than that on the majority of the secretaries of the committees for England.
§ Mr. PearsonWill the hon. and gallant Gentleman indicate to the Minister the feeling of several serving Members of the wages boards at the fact that the long and skilful services of these secretaries in the provinces are not fully recognised.
§ Sir J. Edmondson indicated assent.