Mr. PERKINSasked the Minister of Agriculture the counties in which wage reductions have taken place in respect of agricultural labourers since September, 1929; and whether he has any information as to the prospect of further reductions in these counties or in other counties?
§ Dr. ADDISONSince September, 1929, reductions in the weekly minimum rates of wages for ordinary adult male workers have been made in the eastern area of Lancashire, the Holland Division of Lincolnshire, Shropshire, Suffolk, and in the East and North Ridings of Yorkshire (although in the case of the East Riding the reduction had been preceded by an increase, with the result that the rates are now the same as at the beginning of the period). As regards the last part of the question, the fixing of mini- 2493W mum rates is entirely in the hands of the Agricultural Wages Committees, and I have no information as to their future intentions except that the Nottinghamshire committee has given public notice that it proposes to increase the hours on which the weekly rate is based, and that the West Riding Committee has just decided to give notice proposing to reduce the weekly minimum rates of wages.