§ Mr. SUMMERBELLI beg to ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, if he is aware that some ten gardeners are under notice to leave the Royal Gardens, Kew, on the 28th, instant, and that such men are experiencing great difficulty in obtaining situations; and, if so, will he state whether it is the intention of his Department to turn these men off without employment, in view of the fact that they have only been receiving a subsistence allowance of 21s. per week, and have therefore had no opportunity of preparing for the time of unemployment.
§ Mr. J. A. PEASE (Essex, Saffron Walden; for Sir EDWARD STRACHEY)The young gardeners at Kew are employed for a period of two years. Eight of them complete their term of service on the 28th inst., and two on the 4th prox. They will continue to be employed until they obtain situations elsewhere provided that they continue-to give satisfactory service and that they, use their best endeavours to find other engagements.