§ Mr. Heddleasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the current wage levels set by the agricultural wages board; and what has been the level of increases over the last five years.
§ Mrs. FennerCurrent agricultural wages board minimum rates for adult agricultural workers in England and Wales are £64.00 (ordinary rate), £73.60 (craftsman rate), £80.00 (appointment grade II) and £86.40 (appointment grade I) for a 40-hour week.
Increases in the minimum ordinary rate for adult workers over the past five years have been:
per cent. 1977 7 1978 10 1979 13 1980 20 1981 10.3 An increase of 10 per cent. is proposed for 1982.