§ Mr. C. DUNCANasked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that Mr. W. P. C. Boxall, K.C., one of the appointed members of the Sussex District Wages Committee, is a farmer employing agricultural labourers, and is therefore directly and immediately interested in decisions affecting wages and working conditions of agricultural workers; whether he is aware that the workpeople concerned take exception to this gentleman being an appointed member, because of his partiality to the employers' side on wages questions: and whether he will inquire into this matter, with a view to appointing in the place of Mr. Boxall some other less partial gentleman?
§ Mr. PROTHEROI understand that Mr. Boxall has a country house in Sussex to which about 60 acres of grass and some woodland are attached. None of the land had been under arable cultivation for forty years until a field was ploughed up by contract work this year. He at present employs three workers for dairy, farm, 1137W and garden work. Mr. Boxall is a distinguished lawyer, a King's Counsel, Recorder of Brighton, chairman of Quarter Sessions, and chairman of the Appeal Tribunal for West Sussex. His interest in farming does not appear to be sufficient to affect his impartiality, while it gives him the advantage of practical knowledge in dealing with such questions as come before the district wages committee. I see no reason for making any change at present in the constitution of the committee.