Sugar-Beet Workers, Suffolk (Wages).

Oral Answers to Questions — Agriculture. – in the House of Commons at on 12 March 1931.

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Photo of Mr Jack Lees Mr Jack Lees , Belper

79.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the fact that public subsidies are paid to the farmers in Suffolk in respect of sugar-beet, he will consider the advisability of making it a condition of the granting of such subsidies that higher rates of wages shall be paid to the employés in this industry?

Photo of Dr Christopher Addison Dr Christopher Addison , Swindon

The subsidy under the British Sugar Subsidy Act, 1925, is not paid direct to beet growers but to the companies owning the factories where the sugar is manufactured. Section 3 of the British Sugar Subsidy Act, 1925, makes provision for fair wages to be paid by factory companies in receipt of subsidy by saying that the wages paid shall, except where paid at a rate agreed upon by a joint industrial council representing the employer and the persons employed, not be less than would be payable if the manufacture were carried on under a contract made between the Minister and the employer containing a fair wage clause which complied with the requirements of any resolution of the House of Commons for the time being in force, applicable to contracts of Government Departments. The wages of all farm workers are subject to the minimum rates fixed by the Agricultural Wages Committees.

Photo of Mr Jack Lees Mr Jack Lees , Belper

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the attempt to reduce the wages of the workers referred to from 30s. to 28s. a week; and is he not prepared to take steps, or can he not find time to take steps to secure a guaranteed rate of wages for these workers?

Photo of Mr Edgar Granville Mr Edgar Granville , Eye

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in Suffolk some of the growers are unable to renew their contracts with the factories receiving the subsidy?

Photo of Dr Christopher Addison Dr Christopher Addison , Swindon

I am not aware of that, but I do not think it arises out of the question.

Photo of Mr John Kinley Mr John Kinley , Bootle

Will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to ensure that where the wages are reduced the subsidy also shall be reduced?

Photo of Dr Christopher Addison Dr Christopher Addison , Swindon

I may say that I am doing everything I can in connection with the matter mentioned by my hon. Friend the Member for Belper (Mr. Lees). With regard to the subsidy, the growers in Suffolk are not receiving it because the Anglo-Dutch sugar factory are not making use of the offer.

Photo of Mr Jack Lees Mr Jack Lees , Belper

Is there not an arrangement by which the grower of beet is guaranteed a certain price from the factory?

Photo of Dr Christopher Addison Dr Christopher Addison , Swindon

There is some arrangement prevailing, but it does not prevail, I am sorry to say, in Suffolk except as regards one factory.

Photo of Mr Edgar Granville Mr Edgar Granville , Eye

Are not the majority of sugar-beet workers pieceworkers?