§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage of agricultural/horticultural workers in Cheshire are in(a) part-time and (b) full-time employment; how many receive the national minimum wage, how many of the part-time employees are female; and if he will make a statement on the retention of the Agricultural Wages Board. [124785]
§ Ms QuinThe 1999 June Agricultural and Horticultural Census recorded 3,938 agricultural and horticultural workers in Cheshire (excluding farmers and managers). Of this total 23 per cent. were in part-time employment and 77 per cent. were in full-time employment. The agricultural work force in Cheshire included 868 regular part-time workers of which 408 were female. In addition 300 casual or seasonal workers were employed on a part-time basis. We have no information on the gender of these workers or any data on rates of pay on a county basis.
All agricultural workers should receive at least the Agricultural Minimum Wage set under the Agricultural Wages Order. All such rates are above the national minimum wage.
The review of the operation of the Agricultural Wages Board—one of the regular, standard reviews—is ongoing. The consultation period closed on 31 March and the responses which were received are being considered.