§ Mr. N. BUXTONasked the Minister of Agriculture if he will give figures showing to what extent the lowest rate paid to farm labourers in the Eastern Counties is lower in purchasing power than the rate paid to the same class of labourers in 1913?
§ Sir R. SANDERSThe lowest rate commonly paid in certain Eastern Counties at the present time to ordinary agricultural labourers is 25s. per week which, taking the cost of living at 80 per cent above the pre-War level, is equal to about 14s. in 1914. The wages in 1913–14 in these Eastern Counties are believed to have averaged about 14s. 6d. including allowances.