§ 95. Mr. Osborneasked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that Irish potato-pickers in this country can earn an average of £12 per week on which no Income Tax is paid; that accommodation, bedding, cooking utensils and fuel are provided for them free at public expense, and that a lodging allowance of 24s. per week is also drawn from public funds: and whether he will investigate this expenditure of public money, in view of the discontent which it is arousing among English agricultural workers.
§ Mr. IsaacsSubject to the statutory provision for minimum wages, rates of wages for this work are a matter for agreement between employers and workers. Accommodation, bedding, cooking utensils and fuel are not provided from public funds. Irish workers who have family responsibilities may qualify for lodging allowances under the general scheme at present available for British workers who transfer to important work.