§ 35. Mr. CHARLES WILLIAMSasked the Minister of Agriculture if he can give any reasons for the decrease of 23,093 male workers on agricultural holdings of above one acre in extent between 4th June, 1929, and 4th June, 1930; and if there is any means of knowing how many of these men are now unemployed and how many have obtained employment in other industries?
§ Dr. ADDISONI have no definite information to explain the decrease in the number of male workers in agriculture between 4th June, 1929, and 4th June, 1930, but it is common knowledge that the present agricultural depression is causing many arable farmers to reduce their staffs to the minimum. As regards the last part of the question, I know of no means of obtaining this information.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSIs it not also common knowledge that the Ministry have done nothing to help in this matter?
§ Dr. ADDISONNo, Sir.
§ 37. Lieut.-Colonel HENEAGEasked the Minister of Agriculture if the Government have any proposals to put forward to deal with unemployment in agriculture?
§ Dr. ADDISONI would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the Measures now before the House dealing with agriculture.
§ Lieut.-Colonel HENEAGEIn view of the answer that the right hon. Gentleman has given, and having made a careful study of one of the Measures, which has already been printed, may I ask whether he does not refer to some Measure which has not yet been printed?
§ Dr. ADDISONWe are trying to get the first Bill through first.
§ Mr. ALPASSIs it not a fact that the hon. and gallant Member opposite does everything he can to hinder and obstruct this legislation?
§ 42. Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDasked the Minister of Agriculture what is the decrease in the number of agricultural workers during 1930?
§ Dr. ADDISONI regret I am unable to state what decline in the number of agricultural workers took place during 1930. A comparison between the total numbers returned by occupiers of holdings exceeding one acre in England and Wales on 4th June, 1929 and 1930, shows a reduction of 28,545.
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDHas the Minister any figures more recent than those for June, 1930, or can be procure them?
§ Dr. ADDISONI do not think I can obtain reliable figures, because these are from the annual agricultural returns, but I will look into the matter, and, if I can do so, I shall be glad to supply them.
§ Sir A. POWNALLDo the Government accept responsibility for the decrease of 28,000 agricultural workers?
§ 43. Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDasked the Minister of Agriculture the estimated number of agricultural workers at present out of employment?
§ Dr. ADDISONNo precise statistics are available, and I have no means of ascertaining the information required by the right hon. Member.
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDIn view of the extraordinary importance of this subject, can the Minister obtain the nearest estimate that is available and give it to the House?
§ Dr. ADDISONAs a matter of fact, some weeks ago I asked our inspectors to send me in what returns they could possibly secure, but they are very piecemeal, and it is dangerous to make any definite statement on them, but I will look into it and do my very best.