HC Deb 21 January 1930 vol 234 cc25-6
44. Mr. LAMBERT

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will take steps to ascertain the number of unemployed agricultural workers at the present time in England and Wales?

57. Mr. W. B. TAYLOR

asked the Minister of Agriculture what machinery exists to provide a record of unemployed farm workers; and, if not, what steps can be taken to ascertain them?

Mr. N. BUXTON

Owing to the non-inclusion of agricultural workers in schemes for insurance against unemployment, no machinery exists for obtaining exact statistics of the number of unemployed in the industry.

Mr. LAMBERT

Could the right hon. Gentleman give an approximate estimate of the number of unemployed agricultural workers?

Mr. BUXTON

I am obtaining the information that can be obtained from the unions concerned, but exact statistics are not available.

Mr. LAMBERT

When does the right hon. Gentleman think that this information will be available to Members?

Mr. BUXTON

Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman will put down a question.

Major WOOD

Has the right hon. Gentleman decided to take crofters into the Unemployment Insurance Scheme?

Mr. BUXTON

That should be the subject of another question.

58. Mr. TAYLOR

asked the Minister of Agriculture when the Unemployment Insurance Bill for farm workers will be introduced?

The MINISTER of LABOUR (Miss Bondfield)

I have been asked to reply. The Departments concerned have this matter under consideration, but I cannot at present say when it will be possible to lay proposals before the House.

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