24. Mr. F. MITCHELLasked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the improved outlook for employment on the land he will stimulate the movement of the workers from the industrial centres hack to thy land: and whether he is taking any steps, and. if so what, to that end?
Mr. WOODI am anxious to give whatever assistance is possible in the direction indicated in the first part of my hon. Friend's question, and my Department has recently issued a special appeal in the Press and through the employers' organisations to call the attention of farmers to the facilities which are in existence at the Employment Exchanges 848 for the supply of labour. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the notice in question.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that many town workers who, otherwise, would be disposed to revert back to the land, are prevented from doing so by the fear of being thrown out of work without having any unemployment benefit: and will he take steps to bring agricultural workers within the unemployment insurance scheme?
Mr. WOODI have been in communication with the Minister of Labour on that point. Perhaps questions which bear directly upon it should be addressed to my right hon. Friend.
Mr. ERSKINEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that farmers in West Sussex cannot get labour for love or money?
Mr. WOODYes, I have heard so, and it is in order to assist in such cases that I have taken the action referred to in the answer.