HC Deb 15 March 1945 vol 409 c392
63. Mr. Butcher

asked the Minister of Agriculture why the unanimous decision of the Holland Agricultural Wages Committee for advances in wages was not ratified by the Central Wages Board; and what steps he is taking to see that unanimous trade decisions of this character are not overruled in this manner.

Mr. Hudson

I have no information as to the considerations which the Board had in mind, and in any case I have no power to interfere as the Board is a statutory authority with complete discretion in the exercise of its powers.

Mr. Butcher

Does not my right hon. Friend think it undesirable that local agreements voluntarily and unanimously entered into should be overridden by some central authority?

Mr. Hudson

That has been decided by Parliament.

Sir William Wayland

Is it not a fact that the land in this district is some of the richest in England and does not bear comparison with other land?