§ Mr. FREEMANasked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the proposal of the Brecon and Radnor Agricultural Wages Committee to reduce the minimum wage and increase the hours under the Trade Boards Act; and, seeing that their present standards are already among the lowest in the country, will he say what action he proposes to take in this and similar cases?
§ Dr. ADDISONI am aware that the Brecon and Radnor Agricultural Wages Committee has given notice of a proposal to vary the minimum rates of wages for agricultural workers in its area. The new rates are not actually fixed as the committee have not yet considered objections, so that it is premature for me to consider whether any action on my part is possible or desirable. As my hon. Friend knows. I have no power to interfere with the wages committee in the exercise of their power to determine minimum rates of wages.