HC Deb 04 December 1980 vol 995 cc411-2
3. Miss Maynard

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the latest estimate of the average earnings of farm workers.

Mr. Peter Walker

The latest available information is from the Ministry's wages and employment inquiry covering England and Wales. This shows that in the year ending June 1980 the average gross weekly earnings for all whole-time regular hired men of 20 and over were £78.95 for 46.5 hours.

Miss Maynard

Does the Minister agree with me that his answer means that the gap between the average earnings of industrial workers and farm workers is at least £33 a week, despite the fact that in the last 20 years the farm workers have increased production by 150 per cent.?

Is the Minister aware that the farmers offered 11.2 per cent. in the present wage negotiations, that they have withdrawn that offer and are now trying to impose 10.3 per cent., with the help of the appointed members? Does he not think that this is a scandal? Will he intervene on the side of the farm workers to see that they get a decent increase?

Mr. Walker

Over recent years the gap between farm workers' earnings and those of industrial workers has been closing. In 1970, the farm workers were receiving 70 per cent. of the industrial wage, and now the figure has moved to 78 per cent.

As for the Agricultural Wages Board settlement, the hon. Lady, with her great interest in these matters, knows that this is a board which has been supported by both sides in the industry over many years. Neither side has ever come to me and asked for a replacement of the board. At last year's settlement the employers walked out in disgust, and at this year's settlement the employees walked out in disgust. But it is, nevertheless, a basis of settlement which both sides have supported.

Mr. Body

Is my right hon. Friend really satisfied with the premium rates for craftsmen? Does he appreciate that we shall lose many craftsmen from the industry unless there is an improvement soon?

Mr. Walker

Obviously, it is not for me to comment on any detailed rate within the pattern of agricultural wages when there has been machinery, genuinely supported by both unions and employers over many years and which they consider has been a most satisfactory form of machinery. Obviously, if either side comes to me and expresses the view that the machinery is archaic or needs to be changed, it will be my task to listen to viewpoints on either side. But last year, as I have already indicated, it was the employers who were disgusted with the machinery, and this year it is the employees. Neither side has ever come to me and asked for the system to be changed.

Dr. David Clark

Since the taxpayers subsidise the average farmer to the tune of £7,000 a year, and since many agricultural workers are living in areas where things such as school meals are being abolished or priced out of their market, does he think that 10.3 per cent. is a fair offer?

Mr. Walker

I do not accept the hon. Gentleman's figure, which has been published in certain articles recently, based upon the world price of food as opposed to the price of food in Europe, and so on. Over recent years, under both the Labour Government and this Government, there has been a substantial drop in farm incomes, whereas over the same period the same cannot be said of agricultural wages.