HC Deb 28 July 1998 vol 317 cc267-8

Lords amendment: No. 9, in page 10, line 2, after first ("any") insert Minister of the Crown or")

Mr. Ian McCartney

I beg to move, That this House does agree with the Lords in the said amendment.

Mr. Deputy Speaker

With this, it will be convenient to discuss Lords amendments Nos. 10, 12 to 16, 32, 33 and 35.

Mr. McCartney

The amendments concern ministerial transactions relating to information obtained. They are essentially technical, and are designed to maintain the status quo in respect of the enforcement arrangements envisaged in the Bill. Their purpose is to ensure the continuation of the policy to leave open the option of appointing agricultural wages inspectors in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland to enforce the minimum wage specifically in the agriculture sector. If the amendments were not made, that option would be closed in relation to agricultural wages inspectors in Scotland.

We had considerable discussion in Committee about the interface between agricultural wages and the minimum wage, and agreement was established. We simply want to get the technicalities right.

Mr. Boswell

I want to accept the Minister's assurances, but I should like to be clear about one point. I understand that, when records are compiled for one purpose, for example for the purpose of the agricultural wages inspectorate—as the Minister will know, I am familiar with such operations—they remain the records of that inspectorate, and are available for its purpose. For the purposes of the legislation, they are, if I may produce a non-legal term, transferred to the minimum wage legislation to determine whether that has been complied with. The Minister spoke about agricultural wages legislation in Scotland. Was the case that he quoted an example or is he trying to cover the whole class with this sheaf of amendments?

Mr. McCartney

The hon. Gentleman is right about the proposals. The amendments will secure the correct interface in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and ensure a smooth operation between the two arrangements for agricultural wages and the minimum wage.

Mr. Geoffrey Clifton-Brown(Cotswold)

Perhaps the Minister would clarify one point. I declare an interest, as recorded in the Register of Members' Interests, in agriculture. It is increasingly likely that farmers will pay their workers in euros in future, particularly if payments from Brussels to farmers are in euros. How will the Minister interpret the legislation in relation to euros?

Mr. Deputy Speaker

Order. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will write to the Minister. His question has nothing to do with the amendment.

Lords amendment agreed to.

Lords amendment No. 10 agreed to.

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