§ 33. Sir A. SINCLAIRasked the Secretary for Scotland whether, seeing that legislation has been introduced with the object of enabling agricultural labourers in England and Wales to acquire cottages and areas of ground to cultivate in addition to their earnings, he is yet in a position to state what steps will be taken to afford similar or corresponding facilities to Scottish farm servants to increase their earnings?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply which I gave to his question on the 6th July on this subject. I am of opinion that the Land Settlement (Scotland) Act, 1919, and the Small Landholders (Scotland) Acts, 1886–1919, provide adequate powers to enable the Board of Agriculture for Scotland to constitute small holdings suitable for meeting the requirements of agricultural labourers as well as other applicants.
§ Mr. MONTAGUEDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think that nine hours a day is quite enough for any man?
§ Mr. SPEAKERI do not think that question arises here.
§ Sir A. SINCLAIRIs it not a fact that the paragraph to which I refer in 1686 the Government's White Paper referred, not to the constitution of small holdings, but to the additional lands which could be used as a supplement to the earnings of the agricultural labourers, and could not some similar advantage be given to actual working farm servants and not smallholders?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI am looking into the whole question.