§ Hugh RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to reform the agricultural wages board. [16836]
§ Mr. MorleyFollowing a quinquennial review of the board's operation, the Government announced on 20 September 2000 their intention to keep the Agricultural Wages Board for a further five years. The announcement also confirmed that the Government would be considering detailed changes to modernise aspects of the board's operation.
Consideration is now being given to the use of a Regulatory Reform Order to streamline and modernise the regulatory framework under which the board operates. An essential part of this process is extensive consultation with interested parties. As a first step my noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Lord Whitty, will be meeting the chairman of the board and the leaders of the two sides.