HC Deb 21 March 1972 vol 833 cc1327-8
13. Mr. Ashton

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimates he has made of the cost of wages as a percentage of total farming costs today compared with 10 years ago.

Mr. Prior

Labour costs were 22 per cent. of total farming costs in 1961–62 and are forecast to be 19 per cent. in 1971–72.

Mr. Ashton

In view of the magnificent productivity record, why are our farm workers' wages so shockingly low? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this morning I received from him a letter saying that in the last Price Review he had given farmers 50 per cent. more than was necessary to recoup their increased costs? Will he tell farmers to give some of this money to the farm workers to lift their £16 minimum wage, which is a disgrace?

Mr. Prior

If hon. Gentlemen on the Opposition side had done more to help the farming industry when they were in office, farm workers might now be better of. Farm workers' wages are determined by the Agricultural Wages Board, which consists of equal numbers of workers and farmers with a number of independent members. It is far better left to the members of the board than for hon. Members in this House to interfere.

Mr. Scott-Hopkins

Would not my hon. Friend agree that only this year farm workers received an increase in pay and, although they probably deserve more, must it not be borne in mind that over 90 per cent. of them have average earnings of more than £20 a week?

Mr. Prior

The average earnings in 1971–72 were nearly £22 a week and there are also considerable benefits in kind which are not taken into account.

Mr. Alfred Morris

Is the Minister aware that many of the recent replies about farm workers' wages have been disquieting? Will he not agree that there should now be a substantial increase in agricultural wages if farm workers are to break out of the poverty trap created for low-paid workers by the present Government?

Mr. Prior

The hon. Gentleman, as usual, does his case no good by exaggeration. He must realise that, unless prices are to be increased, we cannot pay increased wages without extra production. Hon. Members opposite are always going on about prices increasing. However, they do not say what should be done about the other side of the problem.