§ 42. Mr. STEPHENasked the Minister of Agriculture if he intends to introduce legislation to make provision for the assistance of unemployed agricultural workers?
§ Major ELLIOTThis question was fully considered last year on the Reports presented by the Inter-Departmental Committee appointed to inquire into the question of the application of compulsory unemployment insurance to agricultural workers, and the Government decided that no case had been made out for applying unemployment insurance to agriculture. 567 The Unemployment Insurance Committee, under the chairmanship of Lord Blanesburgh, also considered the matter, and recommended that no change should be made.
§ Mr. STEPHENAre we to understand from that answer that this Government are going to do nothing to assist the agricultural workers and are only going to assist the property owners?
§ Major ELLIOTThe hon. Member should understand that it was recommended by an eminent member of his own party that no change should be made, and we intend to adhere to that recommendation.
§ Mr. BUCHANANWill the hon. and gallant Gentleman look at the question? The question is not whether unemployment insurance should apply to agricultural workers, but whether the Government intend to give any kind of assistance to unemployed agricultural workers. Will he kindly try to answer that question?
§ Major ELLIOTIt is impossible to go into the details of all the schemes which the Government are introducing for the assistance of agricultural workers.
§ Mr. SPEAKERWe cannot have a Debate now.