§ Sir FORTESCUE FLANNERYasked the President of the Local Government Board if any action had been taken with reference to the unsatisfactory state of things in Essex and other counties, as set forth in the Report of Dr. R. Farrar on the conditions under which persons were employed in pea-picking; and whether any action was contemplated with reference to immigrant pea-pickers?
§ Mr. BURNSThis matter is engaging the attention of my Department and of various local authorities concerned. The issue of Dr. Farrar's report has aroused interest in the subject, and a conference of local authorities was held last autumn, at which Dr. Farrar attended. He has instructions to attend another conference which will take place shortly, and I hope that as a result of the consideration which the question is receiving it may be practicable to effect some reforms.