§ 10. Mr. Loveysasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he now proposes to take to reduce the drift of workers from the land.
§ Mr. Cledwyn HughesI recognise that there is a considerable outflow of labour in some areas but the overall position in the country as a whole is not such as to require special action. I shall continue to watch the situation.
§ Mr. LoveysI agree with the right hon. Gentleman that the steady decline in the number of farm workers is acceptable at present owing to increased mechanisation and modern methods, but would he not agree that there is a need in the long term to encourage younger men into the industry to avoid an imbalance in the age structure?
§ Mr. HughesI agree that this matter must be watched constantly. The Agricultural Wages Board is currently considering a proposed wage structure for the industry, which is a very important factor.
§ Mr. GodberThe whole House would probably agree that a wage structure might be valuable, but does not the Minister realise that the Government's action in referring the last agricultural wages increase to the Prices and Incomes Board had a very serious effect on confidence among farm workers and their employers? If his proposals for expanding agricultural production are real, surely he realises that we must have an adequate labour force on the farms.
§ Mr. HughesThe right hon. Gentleman knows why the reference was made to the board. However, no farm worker lost a penny in wages because of the reference.
§ Mr. ManuelDoes my right hon. Friend recognise that if we are to stop the drift of workers from the land farming units must be much larger and must give greater opportunities for promotion? Certainly wages must be much higher and the houses occupied by many farm workers must be improved.
§ Mr. HughesI recognise the validity of my hon. Friend's point. He will be aware that the Government have promoted the amalgamation scheme with a view to bringing about larger and more economic and more viable units.