Sir H. SAMUELasked the Minister of Agriculture what is approximately the average number of men employed upon arable farms in the Eastern Counties per 100 acres; and what is the average remuneration received per man per annum?
§ Dr. ADDISONIt was estimated by the Ministry in the report on the Census of Agricultural Production in 1925 that, on the basis of returns received on 4th June, 1924, from holdings throughout England and Wales, the total number of workers per 1,000 acres on holdings which are mainly arable was 36.6, of whom 27.9 were regular male workers. There is no estimate for the East of England alone nor are there figures available for subsequent years in respect of arable as distinct from other agricultural land. The minimum wage for an ordinary agricultural worker employed regularly throughout the year varies in the Eastern Counties from £78 per annum to £91 per annum. In order to estimate the average earnings per man, some addition would have to be made to these figures in respect of overtime, harvest work, and men paid above the minimum standard.