§ Lord Marlesfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
What are their future plans for the Agricultural Wages Board; and when they expect the 1999 report of the board to be published. [HL3212]
§ Baroness HaymanThe Agricultural Wages Board is subject to the Government's normal quinquennial review procedures. A review is currently under way. We have consulted widely. We have also commissioned independent research. We are currently considering the results and will make an announcement as soon as possible.
The annual report of the Agricultural Wages Board forms part of the Report on Wages in Agriculture. This publication includes reports on the Agricultural Wages Committees and the Agricultural Dwelling House Advisory Committees as well as performance standards achieved by the Agricultural Wages Inspectors for the period 1 April to 31 March. The 1998 report was published on 29 October 1999. We hope to publish the 1999 report, which contains data up to the end of March 2000 to a similar timetable.