---

Work and Families Bill

I had not intended to speak to the technical amendment, but I have been interested by what hon. Members have said. As the Scottish Agricultural Wages Board is a devolved body, it is up to it to decide what to set. I would hope that members of the board, being good Scots, would set rates that were higher than those in other parts of the country, although I accept that there is no guarantee that that will happen. However, as an independent body, it would have the right to set such rates. The number of people working in agriculture in Scotland has declined steadily over the years. Many people who work in agriculture, especially those who are seasonal workers, come from eastern Europe to work for short periods. Will the Minister confirm that they are covered by regulations on the national minimum wage, rather than the Scottish Agricultural Wages Board, and that the amendment thus covers people who are permanently engaged in agriculture, rather than seasonal workers?