§ 60. Mr. Hurdasked the Minister of Agriculture if he will consult with the Agricultural Wages Board to ensure that, in future, proposals for changes in minimum farm wages will coincide with the year for which farmers' prices are guaranteed, so as to avoid repeated negotiations on prices and continual uncertainty.
§ Mr. T. WilliamsNo, Sir. The Agricultural Wages Board, which is, of course, fully aware of the consideration referred to by the hon. Member, is an autonomous body in whose decisions I have no power to intervene.
§ Mr. HurdWould it not be very helpful from every point of view if the Minister were to take a little courage in this matter and have a word with the Agricultural Wages Board, because the whole of his price-fixing procedure will be upset if we go on in this piecemeal way?
§ Mr. WilliamsI fully appreciate the point submitted by the hon. Member, but I am sure that he is aware that I have no power to intervene with the Board, which is an independent one.
§ Major Sir Thomas DugdaleIn view of the recent announcement made by the. Agricultural Wages Board, recommending an increase in the minimum wage, does the Minister intend to hold a special review of prices, owing to the increased cost of production occasioned thereby?
§ Mr. WilliamsThat is a matter for subsequent consideration No increase is yet confirmed.
§ Captain Crookshankit the right hon. Gentleman cannot intervene technically cannot he give a broad hint?
§ Mr. WilliamsIf a Minister were to give broad hints one way, he would have to give broad hints in another way, and I cannot give broad hints either way.
§ Mr. Godfrey NicholsonHas the Minister no ideas on this subject at all? In view of the great effect which this increase must have on the whole of the agricultural industry, has he no ideas on the subject?
§ Mr. WilliamsI am very full of ideas on the subject.