§ Mr. Atkinsonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the resolution concerning agricultural wages passed unanimously by the Agricultural Wages Board on 11th December 1972; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. FennerThe board's resolution was as follows
216WThe Agricultural Wages Board for England and Wales has noted the effect of the Counter-Inflation (Agricultural Wages) Order 1972 on the Board's award as set out in its order made on 11th December 1972 and due to come into effect on 22nd January 1973. The board unanimously resolved to request Her Majesty's Government to take the necessary steps to allow this award to come into effect not later than the end of the 90-day standstill period; that is by 28th February 1973.Since then the Government's White Paper—The Programme for Controlling Inflation: The Second Stage (Cmnd. 5205)—has been published, and it has been made clear that provided the legislation now before the House has been enacted by the end of this month the awards of the Agricultural Wages Board will be allowed to take effect, without retrospection, from 1st April 1973 in line with other pay settlements reached before the standstill and deferred during its currency. My right hon. Friend has written to the chairman of the board explaining the position.