MR. HERBERT (Buckinghamshire, Wycombe)I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to instances of agricultural labourers who had applied for small holdings being dismissed by their employers; and whether the Government will consider the possibility of introducing legislation to make it a criminal offence for a employer to dismiss a labourer merely upon the ground that he has availed himself of the right conferred upon him by Parliament of applying for a small holding under the Small Holdings Act.
§ MR. ASQUITHNo instance has, so far, been brought to my attention in which there was satisfactory proof that a labourer had been dismissed on this ground by his employer. I can hardly imagine conduct which would constitute a more serious and indefensible attempt to defeat the intentions of Parliament, and I cannot believe, as at present advised, that it is likely to be resorted to.