HC Deb 08 February 1966 vol 724 cc49-50W
Mr. Henry Clark

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what were the average real weekly earnings of agricultural workers in England and Wales, and Northern Ireland, respectively, during the latest 12 months for which he has a record; and how these compare with the agreed minimum wages.

budget support or development purposes in Swaziland for each of the past three years; and what is projected for 1966 and 1967.

Mrs. White

The approved budgetary grants to Swaziland in the three years 1963–64, 1964–65 and 1965–66 were £855,000, £1,639,000 and £1,510,000 respectively. The grant-in-aid for 1966–67 has been fixed at £1,200,000, subject to the approval of Parliament.

Colonial Development and Welfare allocations totalled £2,662,000 for the period 1963–66. For the new period 1965–68, £3,900,000 has been allocated; this includes approximately £1,440,000 of the previous allocation which was unspent at 31st March, 1965.

Actual figures for all forms of assistance issued over the last two financial years and estimated issues in 1965–66, are:—

Mr. John Mackie

In England and Wales the average total weekly earnings of regular whole-time male agricultural workers over 20 years of age was £13 5s. 9d. during the year ended 30th September, 1965. The statutory minimum wage for this class of worker was £9 10s. for a standard week of 45 hours until 3rd January, 1965, and £10 2s. from 4th January, 1965; the average over the year was £9 18s. 11d.

In Northern Ireland, the average total weekly earnings for the same class of worker during the year ended 31st May, 1965, was £10 1s. 10d. The statutory minimum wage varies over six districts; the average for all districts during the year ended 31st May, 1965 was £9 3s. 2d. for a standard week of 46 hours.