Agricultural Wages Board (Hansard, 14 July 1994)

§ Mrs. Gillian Shephard

We had hoped to be able, before now, to make a statement on the Government's plans for the future of the Agricultural Wages Board arrangements. Since last year's substantial consultation exercise, there have been two significant and new factors which the Government must consider. Employers in a number of sectors of the industry are now questioning the value of keeping the present arrangements for statutory wage determination across the agriculture sector, and have raised concerns about the size of this year's minimum wage awards. They have also acknowledged that the two International Labour Organisation conventions covering the terms and conditions of agricultural workers should now be denounced by the United Kingdom. Those conventions place constraints on the industry and prevent the introduction of the flexible working arrangements required by the modern labour market. Secondly, employees' representatives are seeking leave in the courts to bring judicial review proceedings against the board on the ground that its Wages Order determinations are indirectly discriminating against part-time agricultural workers. The board met on 24 June to consider this legal challenge and we understand that employers and employees' representative are consulting over the summer. There are some substantial and complex issues on employment and equal opportunities law which need examination.

In view of these developments, I believe that we must pause and take stock before making our decision, so that we can take account of the result of these developments, the board's decision, and of course the views expressed during and since the consultation exercise. However, to ensure that we are free to make the arrangements that the industry will need, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment will be making an announcement shortly on the ILO conventions Nos. 99 and 101.