§ Colonel Carverasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that when the farm labourers' wages were 36s. a week in parts of Yorkshire, 3s. a week which was a non-economic rent was deducted for the house in which they lived, on the ground that they could not afford more; and whether, now that 60s. a week is being paid, farmers are entitled to demand an increase of such rent to at least 6s. a week, especially in the case where there are three bedrooms with a bathroom?
Mr. HudsonThe determination of the values at which cottages held by farm workers from their employers may be reckoned in part-payment of minimum rates of wages is a matter for the agricultural wages committees. The majority of these committees have now made provision under which an employer may apply for the value of a particular cottage to be increased on the ground that it affords superior accommodation and amenities. Of the committees which lave made such provision, eight have specified 6s. as the maximum value, two have fixed the maximum 733W at 7s. and 7s. 6d. respectively, and the remainder have not specified any maximum.