§ 39. Sir CHARLES CAYZERasked the Minister of Labour whether he will make, inquiries into the numbers of agricultural labourers and stockmen thrown out of work in the Cheshire district through the slaughter of cattle on farms where they usually work; and whether he will assure himself that proper means of support and maintenance are being given to these men, who are suffering from causes over which they have no control whatever?
§ The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Mr. Noel Buxton)My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. I 1734 have taken special steps to ascertain the position, but it is not possible to, state the precise number of agricultural workers who have for the time being lost their regular employment by reason of the slaughter of cattle in Cheshire. I understand that, as the result of special efforts which have been made by the local authorities and the farmers themselves, the great majority of the men have been able to secure temporary employment. Fortunately, the epidemic shows signs of abating, some of the farms are already being re-stocked with cattle, and there appears good reason to hope that the difficulty will disappear before very long.