§ 77. Mr. LINFIELDasked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to a strike of farm labourers at Tudlow and Wrestlingworth against a reduction of wages from 24s. to 21s. 3d. pew week, the rent of the council houses being les, 4d. per week; and whether, since it is not possible for a man to keep himself, his wife, and four children, and pay rent on this wage, he will take action in the matter?
§ Major BARNSTON (Comptroller of the Household)I have been asked to reply for the Minister of Agriculture. As my right hon. Friend informed the hon. Member for Taunton on the 26th February, he is aware of the dispute in question and has placed the services of one of his officers at the disposal of the parties with a view to assisting them in arriving at a settlement. My right hon. Friend has no information as to the rents charged for the council houses, nor whether any of the labourers concerned occupy such houses at the rent stated.
§ Mr. LINFIELDWill the hon. Member put the matter to the test as to whether it is possible to live on 10s. 11d. a week and keep a wife and four children?