asked the Minister of Agriculture what county wage committees have increased farm-workers wages since January, 1939, and by what amounts per week; and what is the average weekly rate for England and Wales at the present time?

The agricultural wages committee for Cheshire, Kent and Wiltshire have increased the weekly minimum rates of wages for ordinary adult male workers since 1st January, 1939, by 1s.per week, that for Lancashire by the same amount for part of its area and those for Cornwall and for Merioneth and Montgomery by 6d. per week. In some of these cases the committees have made corresponding increases in the rates for other classes of male workers. The committee for Berkshire has increased the hourly rate for all female workers by 1d., and that for Somerset by 1d. for such workers over the age of 21 and by ½d. for those aged 18 to 21. The average of the weekly minimum rates for ordinary adult male workers over England and Wales as a whole is at the present time 34s. 9d.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman satisfied with the rate of progress as regards wages, in view of the feeling within the industry that he is prepared to deal with the farming position and the discussions which he has initiated?

Naturally one hopes that the position will so improve that better wages can be paid.

Is the Minister still in contact with the representatives of the farmers with regard to an increase in wages, and does he contemplate any special steps to raise them?

They are a matter for negotiation.