§ 18. Mr. Ashtonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the expected increase in productivity of the farming industry in the current year ; and how this is likely to be reflected in the farm workers' pay award.
§ Mr. John SilkinThe annual review is currently in progress and, until the results are available, it is impossible to say what the average increase in productivity in the farming industry as a whole will be.
As indicated in the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Newham, North-West (Mr. Lewis) on 11th December, there is no reason why a farmer and farm worker should not agree to make provision for future productivity when they agree actual wage rates.—[Vol. 960, c. 51–2.]