§ Mr. E. WOODasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture the reason given for fixing the minimum wages for women of 18 years and over in Yorkshire at 2d. or 3d. an hour above those payable all over the rest of England and Wales; and whether this proposal of the Agricultural Wages Board has received the unanimous approval of the Yorkshire District Wages Board?
Sir A. BOSCAWENI understand that the chief reason which has led the Agricultural Wages Board to fix a minimum rate of 10d. per hour for female workers of 18 years and over in Yorkshire is the fact that the District Wages Committee for Yorkshire has repeatedly recommended them to do so. At the meeting of that Committee when this proposal was first brought forward, the recommendation was recorded as unanimous. At two subsequent meetings it has been re-affirmed by a majority. I may add that higher rates for female workers in Yorkshire than in the large majority of other counties have been in force since the first Order was passed in October, 1918.