§ 87. Sir W. de FRECEasked the Minister of Agriculture whether any representations have reached him showing a shortage of labour in any branch of land cultivation; and what steps have in that case been taken to meet it?
§ Mr. BUXTONI understand that in certain parts of the country a shortage has been experienced of casual labour for seasonal operations, and in many areas there seems to be a growing shortage of skilled regular workers. The only effective remedy appears to lie in more attractive wages and conditions, which I hope to secure by a system of regulation.
§ Sir W. de FRECEHas the right hon. Gentleman's attention been called to the shortage of labour in the fruit-picking industry?
§ Mr. BUXTONI understand that there is a shortage. I have had a request from one farmer to be permitted to import labour from France, and from another farmer to be allowed to make arrangements with the education authorities to get boy labour.