§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many inspectors are currently employed by the Agricultural Wages Board; and how many were employed 10 years ago.
§ Mr. JackAgricultural minimum wage enforcement is the responsibility of the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. Staff undertake wages inspection as one of a range of duties and the time spent on this activity will vary considerably from officer to officer. Total time spent by the Ministry on minimum wage enforcement is therefore the best measure when comparing one year with another. The earliest figures available relate to 1987–88 and show a total input of around 19 staff years. In 1992–93 the comparable figure was also some 19 staff years.
§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many visits have been carried out during the last 12 months by Agricultural Wages Board inspectors; and how many were carried out 10 years ago.
§ Mr. JackAgricultural wages inspections are carried out by officers appointed by the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and by the Secretary of State for Wales. During 1992, the latest full year for which figures are available, 554 holdings were visited as part of the programme of test inspections or in the process of following up specific complaints. In 1982, 2,979 holdings were visited. However, this 1982 figure includes visits to collect statistical information for the wages and employment inquiry. This statistical information is now collected by post and, as a result, the 1992 and 1982 figures are not directly comparable.