§ Major CARVERasked the Minister of Agriculture by what percentage the wages of the average agricultural labourer in England and Wales to-day exceed those of 1913; and by what percentages the prices of the principal agricultural products of England and Wales exceed those of 1913?
§ Mr. ATTLEEI have been asked to reply. Insufficient statistics are available to permit of a precise comparison between the actual wages paid to agricultural workers at the present time with those which obtained in 1913. From such information as is available, it is estimated that the average earnings of ordinary adult male agricultural workers immediately prior to the War were about 18s. per week. The average of the present weekly minimum wages in force under the Agricultural Wages (Regulation) Act, for ordinary adult male workers is 31s. 8d. 1181W per week over England and Wales as a whole but this figure takes no account of overtime payments or additional earnings at special seasons. The percentage increase in the prices of agricultural produce during December, 1930, as compared with the average of the corresponding months of 1911–13 is given in the following table:
Commodity. Per cent. Wheat -17* Barley Nil Oats -20* Fat cattle 20 Fat sheep 44 Bacon pigs 26 Pork pigs 53 Dairy cows 30 Store cattle 22 Store sheep 50 Store pigs 104 Eggs 14 Poultry 31 Milk 65 Butter 12 Cheese 16 Potatoes 49 Hay -7* Wool -19* Produce generally 26 * Indicates decrease.