§ 80. Mr. HAROLD GRAYasked the Minister of Agriculture the estimated number of men engaged at the present time as farm labourers?
§ Sir R. SANDERSThe numbers of male agricultural workers in England and Wales on 4th June, 1921, as returned by occupiers of holdings of more than one acre in extent, were 612,000 regular workers and 131,000 casual workers. These figures do not include the occupiers, but include sons and other male relatives working on the holdings. It is not possible to give a trustworthy estimate 28 of the numbers employed at the present time.
81. Mr. GRAY furtherasked the Minister of Agriculture if the Government propose to introduce any legislation of a sufficiently drastic nature to enable the farmers to increase the present inadequate wage of farm labourers?
§ Sir R. SANDERSNo direct legislation of the kind indicated by the hon. Member is contemplated, but. I hope that the Government may be able to propose measures for the relief of agriculture which will assist in making it-more profitable, and so enable higher wages to be paid.
§ Mr. HAYDAYSend them overseas!