§ Mr. TrendTo ask the Minster of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has reached a decision on the future of the Agricultural Wages Board for England and Wales: and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WaldegraveWe have now completed our consideration of the views expressed during the consultation period on the operation of the Agricultural Wages Board for England and Wales. We have also had an opportunity to consider the changes to the wages order that the AWB has proposed in response to the judicial review action initiated by the Transport and General Workers Union. It is clear from the responses to consultation that there is wide acceptance, from both sides of the agricultural industry, of the present arrangements. We do not therefore currently intend to change the existing statutory framework. However, since the Government believe that statutory wage fixing arrangements can introduce inflexibilities which prevent rather than encourage job creation, we shall continue to keep the future existence of the AWB under close review.