§ 24. Mr. LEACHasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture to what extent and in what districts there is a known shortage of labour among agriculturists?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of AGRICULTURE (Sir Harry Verney)No very definite figures are available which would indicate the extent of the present shortage of agricultural labour, but I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on February 8th to the hon. Member for the 1111 Exchange Division of Liverpool. Shortage of agricultural labour is known to be general, and is likely to become more acute in the spring. The counties where shortage appears to be greatest are those in the neighbourhood of military camps, or those where enlistment has been heavy.