22. Duchess of ATHOLLasked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the shortage of labour in the fruit-picking industry, which he stated on the 21st July had been experienced in certain parts of the country, and in view of the fact that fruit picking is unskilled work, ho will consider whether by better methods of organisation and by co-operation with the Labour Exchanges it would be possible to remedy this shortage of labour by employing some of the workers who are at present unemployed?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of AGRICULTURE (Mr. W. R. Smith)I understand from my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour that the facilities of the Employment Exchanges for recruiting labour are just as fully at the disposal of farmers as of other employers, and if fruit growers will give sufficient notice of their requirements to the Exchanges, every effort will be made to place them in touch with suitable workers.