HC Deb 08 April 1925 vol 182 cc2253-5W
Colonel DAY

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the hours worked by agricultural labourers in Anglesey and Carnarvonshire are 58 per week; and, as these hours are considerably in excess of the general hours of labour in this industry in the other

as to the areas and yields of cereal and root crops in Germany in the years 1920, 1922 and 1924, respectively; and whether he will furnish comparative figures for Great Britain?

Mr. WOOD

The area and production of the undermentioned crops in Germany and Great Britain in 1920, 1922 and 1924 were as follow:

counties of England and Wales, will his Department take action with a view to reducing these hours?

Mr. WOOD

I have been asked to reply. I have no precise information as to the average hours actually worked by agricultural labourers, but the minimum rates fixed by the Anglesey and Carnarvon Agricultural Wages Committee to apply throughout the year are at present on the basis of a 50-hour week for ordinary workers and a 58-hour week for horsemen, cowmen, shepherds and bailiffs. So far as I am aware these hours are not in excess of those worked by the corresponding classes of workers in other parts of England and Wales.