§ 13. Mr. Niall Macphersonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what wages are being paid to European voluntary workers employed as agricultural 1072 workers and living in camps or hostels in Scotland; what charges are made to them for board and lodging in such camps and hostels; and what clothing or equipment is supplied to them free by His Majesty's Government.
§ The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Woodburn)European volunteer workers are paid a minimum of 90s. per week and are charged 30s. per week for board and lodging. The second part of the Question is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour, but I understand that, so far as existing supplies permit, and where the worker would suffer hardship through lack of essential items of clothing, the necessary footwear and garments are provided at the holding hostels.
§ Mr. MacphersonWould the Secretary of State assure the House that the European voluntary workers are not paid more than the standard rate in the areas?
§ Mr. WoodburnThe European voluntary workers are paid in accordance with the agreement with the farmers in order to obtain this labour for agricultural work in Scotland. Needless to say, they get no advantage over the ordinary population.
§ Mr. Henderson StewartIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in at least one camp, at Annfield, Fife, the men are completely idle and have been for some time?
§ Mr. WoodburnThat is another question, but it is a very happy point because the weather this year has taken all the agricultural work one month in advance of normal and it is a very useful thing that that should be the case.