§ 3. Mr. DUNCAN MILLARasked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to the statements made at a meeting of the executive committee of the National Farmers' Union held in London, on Tuesday, the 10th instant, that farm labourers do better work without beer and that it was a great shame, under present circumstances, that good wholesome barley should be wasted in beer, and that the sooner the custom of giving beer to harvest labourers was abandoned the better, and to the decision of the committee not to support a resolution in favour of the allocation of a supply of malt for the making of harvest beer; and whether he has received any representations from any farmers' unions in favour of increasing the output of beer for harvest purposes?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of LABOUR (Mr. Bridgeman)I have been asked to reply. Resolutions have been received from 2279 farmers' unions both for and against the provision of additional beer for harvest labourers.
§ Mr. MILLARCould the hon. Gentleman say how many Resolutions have been received?
§ Captain BARNETTHas the hon. Gentleman received any communication from the farm labourers to the effect that they do better work without beer?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI have not received any, but I will ask the Food Controller.
§ Mr. A. WILLIAMSHas the Food Controller received any communication to the contrary from farm labourers?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI cannot answer that question.