§ 9. Mr. GrocottTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has any plans to meet trade union representatives to discuss agricultural workers' wages; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonNo, Sir. Such matters are for the independent Agricultural Wages Board.
§ Mr. GrocottGiven the chronic problem of low pay among agricultural workers, where the average wage is about 73 per cent. of comparable jobs in industry, and where excessively long hours are worked, does the Minister agree that in this year's pay round there should be a substantial pay increase for agricultural workers and, most important of all, they should establish a 35-hour week?
§ Mr. ThompsonThe average wage for agricultural workers is about £146, including overtime. The matters of detail are for the Agricultural Wages Board and the unions to negotiate.
§ Mr. BoswellWill my hon. Friend give us an assurance that it is not the Government's policy to introduce a prices and incomes policy for farm workers?
§ Mr. ThompsonYes, Sir.
§ Dr. David ClarkIs the Minister aware that over 11,000 farm workers' families receive family income supplement, and that if the scheme were fully implemented the figure would double? Does this not prove that agricultural wages are far too low?
§ Mr. ThompsonIt proves the effectiveness of family income supplement. The figures quoted by the hon. Gentleman include people who are self-employed and a large number of people in the fishing industry.