§ 48. Mr. T. Smithasked the Minister of Agriculture why consideration of the 1531 application for an increase in the minimum wage of agricultural workers has been postponed to November?
§ The Minister of Agriculture (Mr. R. S. Hudson)In accordance with the Agricultural Wages (Regulation) Acts, 1924 and 1940, consideration of the national minimum wage for agricultural workers is a matter for the Agricultural Wages Board. I would refer the hon. Member to the announcement issued by the Board following its meeting on 22nd July, which appeared in the Press. I am sending the hon. Member a copy.
§ Mr. SmithDoes not my right hon. Friend think farm workers are entitled at the present time to a little more consideration than they have been receiving, and is there any connection between this delay and the White Paper which was recently issued on price stabilisation?
§ Mr. HudsonAs is pointed out in the announcement, the Agricultural Wages Board have proposed deferring consideration until November, but that will not prevent farm workers making use of the existing machinery for the settlement of wages. In fact an increasing number of counties have agreed to an increase in wages in the last few weeks under the ordinary procedure.
§ Mr. SmithMay I have an answer to the last part of my Question? Is there any connection between this delay and the price stabilisation policy laid down in the White Paper?
§ Mr. HudsonI am afraid I cannot say what was in the mind of the Board when they took their decision.
§ Mr. SmithIs it not a fact that the Minister supplied the appointed members with the Government's point of view on that White Paper?
§ Mr. HudsonNo, Sir, we did not supply the appointed members with our point of view on that White Paper. The whole Board asked, me for a paper, showing what were the real economic conditions of the industry, in accordance with the terms of the Act, and I provided them with a factual and entirely objective statement.