asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the expected increase in productivity of the farming industry in the current year ; and how this is likely to be reflected in the farm workers' pay award.

The annual review is currently in progress and, until the results are available, it is impossible to say what the average increase in productivity in the farming industry as a whole will be.As indicated in the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Newham, North-West (Mr. Lewis) on 11th December, there is no reason why a farmer and farm worker should not agree to make provision for future productivity when they agree actual wage rates.—[Vol. 960, c. 51–2.]