§ Mr. MCNEILLasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture what rate of wages was taken to arrive at the figure of 68s. per quarter of wheat as the basis mentioned in Section 2, Sub-section (1), of the Agriculture Bill?
Sir A. BOSCAWENThe figure of 68s. a quarter for wheat is the amount which in the opinion of the Royal Commission on Agriculture represented the average bare cost, of production in 1919, excluding interest on capital or remuneration to the farmer himself. The Commission in their Report state that they arrived at their figure after considering a large body of evidence as to the actual cost of production in 1918, and then applying to their estimate of the average cost in that year, the increase which their evidence indicated to have taken place between 1918 and 1919, disregarding any variation in rent. The Report of the Commission does not give detailed figures distinguishing the various items in the cost of production, such as labour, but it refers to the fact that wages had advanced in most parts of the country beyond the minimum rate of 36s. 6d., and that the hours in respect of which the minimum rates were payable had been reduced.