§ 89. Sir Richard Glynasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has studied the report from the Consumers' Committee, dealing with consumer complaints about the "seconds" scheme introduced by the British Egg Marketing Board; and what action he proposes to take on it.
§ Mr. SoamesThe Agriculture Ministers have now received this Report and I am placing a copy in the Library of the House. Copies are being made available from the Agricultural Departments on request.
In brief the Committee concluded that some consumers have suffered hardship from the withdrawals of "seconds" from the retail market for shell eggs. We are, therefore, as provided by Section 19(3)(b)
WORKERS EMPLOYED ON AGRICULTURAL HOLDINGS England and Wales, June, 1963* — Agricultural Holdings† Regular Whole-time Male Workers (aged 20–64 years) All Workers (male and female regular, seasonal and temporary)‡ Per cent. Per cent. Per cent. Agricultural holdings with:— No workers 54.3 — — No regular whole-time workers 7.3 — 7.6 No regular whole-time males (20–64 years) but one or more other regular whole-time workers 7.0 — 8.1 1 regular whole-time male worker (20–64 yrs.) 15.7 20.0 18.9 2 regular whole-time male workers (20–64 yrs.) 7.3 18.5 32.0 3 regular whole-time male workers (20–64 yrs.) 3.2 12.3 4 regular whole-time male workers (20–64 yrs.) 1.7 8.6 5 and over regular whole-time male workers (20–64 yrs.) 3.5 40.6 33.4 Totals (per cent.) 100.0 100.0 100.0 Totals (Number of holdings or workers) (335,684) (263,182) (496,251) * Excluding the occupier, his wife, dornest c servants and children still at school † Exceeding one acre in extent. ‡Including 56,061 regular whole-time male workers under 20 years old and 12,478 aged 65 years and over.