§ 40. Mr. T. WILLIAMSasked the Minister of Agriculture if he can state the approximate number of unemployed agricultural workers in Great Britain on any date during the last three months; and what steps, if any, are being taken to find work for these uninsured workers?
Mr. GUINNESSNo particulars are available of the number of agricultural workers unemployed in England and Wales, but, from information I receive from officers of the Ministry in various parts of the country, unemployment amongst regular farm workers is unusual. The machinery of the Employment Exchanges is available for agricultural workers. For information respecting the position in Scotland I must refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Forestry Commissioners have determined that only 50 per cent. of new plots of land shall be available for the transference of miners because of the alleged unemployment in agricultural areas in various parts of the country; and if the right hon. Gentleman has not the figures, will he apply to the 34 Forestry Commissioners for the statistics relating to unemployed agricultural workers?