HC Deb 06 July 1896 vol 42 cc795-6
MR. MICHAEL AUSTIN (Limerick, W.)

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade who is the Agricultural Labour Correspondent for Ireland; when did the last report appear in the Labour Gazette; and, what means are taken to secure accuracy of information

MR. RITCHIE

Mr. Wilson Fox is the Agricultural Correspondent of the Labour Department of the Board of Trade, and, as I have already explained, his duties extend to Ireland, of which country he has considerable experience. Reports on employment of agricultural labourers in Ireland appeared in the Labour Gazette for January and February, 1895, on agricultural co-operation in Ireland in May, 1896, and on the migration of Irish agricultural labourers in September, 1895. I do not understand that the accuracy of any statement made is disputed.

MR. AUSTIN

Do I understand the right hon. Gentleman to say that since 1895 no report has appeared from this Commissioner as regards the condition of the agricultural labourers in Ireland or their wages?

MR. RITCHIE

As I informed the hon. Member, a kindred report was made in May 189G, but I may say there is very great difficulty in connection with Ireland in making reports with regard to the wages of the agricultural labourers. It differs very materially from the other parts of the United Kingdom in this respect—that there is a very large number of people who cultivate plots of land of their own, who are not really above the labouring classes, but who do not like to be classed among the labourers. These people are in a position almost analogous to the agricultural labouring classes in this country, and there is a difficulty of getting a return of that particular class as we obtain it in the case of England.

MR. AUSTIN

In consequence of the answer of the right hon. Gentleman, I beg to give notice that I shall bring forward the matter on the Estimates.