HC Deb 09 December 1993 vol 234 cc475-6
9. Mr. Hall

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations she has received concerning the future of the Agricultural wages board.

Mrs. Gillian Shephard

The consultation period on the future of the Agricultural wages board ended at the beginning of November, a period which I had extended by two months. I am still considering the many responses.

Mr. Hall

Is the Secretary of State aware that the Agricultural wages board has a far wider role than simply setting terms and conditions of employment in the agricultural industry? It has an important role in maintaining the excellent industrial relations in agriculture, in careeer structures and in training. Does she accept the views of the National Farmers Union and the Agricultural Workers Union that it is essential that the Agricultural wages board is retained?

Mrs. Shephard

I am still considering the numerous responses, many of which contained the points that the hon. Gentleman made.

Mr. Cormack

Is my right hon. Friend aware that almost everyone associated with agriculture in Staffordshire is anxious that the board should remain? Will she take that carefully into account?

Mrs. Shephard

Yes, Madam Speaker.

Mr. Strang

Will the Secretary of State acknowledge that she has received 3,566 responses to her consultation paper and 14 petitions and that, of all those responses, only 11 favour abolition? Does she now accept that the whole agriculture industry wants the wages board to continue and that the sooner she announces that, the better?

Mrs. Shephard

I can tell that the hon. Gentleman has availed himself of the consultation documents, which have been placed in the Ministry library. The figures are more or less as he says and I will certainly take them all into account.

Mr. Garnier

Does my right hon. Friend accept that what my hon. Friend the Member for Staffordshire, South (Mr. Cormack) has just said about farmers in his constituency also applies to my constituency of Harborough? The farm workers, farm owners and landowners are adamant that the AWB should stay in place, but all three groups are equally adamant that a Labour Government should not ruin the best thing about this country—its agricultural business.

Mrs. Shephard

I shall say yes to all that.