HC Deb 29 October 2001 vol 373 cc548-9W
Mrs. Ann Winterton

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment the Government have made of the effect of the crisis in agriculture on farm workers' annual incomes. [9802]

Mr. Morley

The Government do not monitor the annual incomes of farm workers directly. However, the earnings and hours worked by farm workers in England and Wales are measured by a statistical survey each September. The latest results, for September 2000, were published in January 2001. A copy of the results has been placed in the Library. Results for September 2001 will be published in January 2002.

In England and Wales minimum agricultural wage rates and conditions of employment are set by the Agricultural Wages Board (an independent body). A new agricultural wages order implementing this year's wage negotiations came into force on 1 October 2001. Some workers will be paid more than the minimum wage rates.