asked the Minister for Agricultural if he is aware (a) that any workman employed in agriculture for which no minimum piece-rate had been fixed could complain to the Agricultural Wages Board for Ireland that the piece-rate of wages would not yield to an ordinary workman the appropriate minimum time-rate and (b) that the Agricultural Wages Board for Ireland (established under the Corn Production Act, 1917) had powers to direct employers to pay workmen the difference between the piece-rate earnings and the appropriate minimum rate; and if he will state whether the Agricultural Wages Board have the same or similar powers under Section 17 of the Agricultural Wages Act, 1936.
Written Answers. - Wages of Agricultural Workers.
I am not quite clear as to the relevance of the reference to the Corn Production Act, 1917. So far as the Agricultural Wages Board are concerned, the provisions of Section 17 of the Agricultural Wages Act, 1936, appear to me to enable the board in their discretion to ensure that the earnings from rates for piece-work would be not less than those based on the prescribed minimum rates for time-work.