HC Deb 23 October 1908 vol 194 c1492
MR. LAURENCE HARDY

To ask the Prime Minister whether he is aware that, partly owing to the condition of the hop industry, so fully explained to the Government in the evidence before the Hop Committee recently published, and partly owing to despair on the part of the grower?, large areas of hops are daily being grubbed, and in consequence many labourers thrown out of employment; and whether, in his proposals to deal with the special problem of unemployment during this winter, he has given special attention to this portion of the problem, namely, unemployment in the rural districts.

(Answered by Mr. John Burns.) The Prime Minister has asked me to reply to this Question. I am aware that the Select Committee reported that the acreage of land under hops in England had been reduced during the last twenty years by about one-third, the Home produce of hops, however, continuing nearly the same owing to the increased yield per acre. I can assure the hon. Member that all aspects of the unemployed problem have received the attention of the Government.