46. Miss Cazaletasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that at present only 23 out of 47 county agricultural wages committees have fixed the women's minimum agricultural wage on a weekly basis, and that in the English and Welsh counties there is at present a variation in minimum wage rates for women aged 21 and over,' as between 28s. and 48s. for a 48-hour week; and whether in view of these facts, he will consider the desirability of introducing legislation to fix the minimum agricultural wage rate for women upon a national basis as has been done for men?
§ The Minister of Agriculture (Mr. R. S. Hudson)I am aware of the position regarding minimum wage rates for women workers in agriculture. The Agricultural Wages (Regulation) Amendment Act, 1940, already requires Agricultural Wages Committees, in fixing wage rates for all classes of workers, including women, to have regard to the national minimum wage prescribed for adult male workers. Consequently, I do not think there is any need for new legislation.
Miss CazaletMay I ask my right hon. Friend whether, in view of the fact that there must be approximately 100,000 women working permanently on the land, quite apart from the Land Army and seasonal workers, is it not very unjust that their wages should vary so considerably between the counties?