§ Sir E. Graham-Littleasked the Minister of Agriculture how many persons are now 1259W employed in agriculture and what proportion does the increase in the price of foodstuffs of agricultural derivation bear to the increase of wages since January, 1942?
Mr. HudsonAs the hon. Member will recall, statistics of the number of workers employed in individual industries are not disclosed during war-time. The average of statutory minimum wage rates for ordinary male adult agricultural workers in the various counties of England and Wales increased by 14 per cent. between December, 1941 (when the last general increase took place) and April, 1942. The index number of prices of agricultural produce received by farmers in England and Wales increased by 13 per cent. between December, 1941, and April, 1942, after allowing for seasonal variations.