HC Deb 02 July 1931 vol 254 cc1436-7
63. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has any estimate of the number of agricultural workers at present unemployed in England and Wales?

The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Dr. Addison)

I regret that no statistics are available on which I could make such an estimate as to present unemployment, although the reports we received from our county staffs indicated that, particularly in some arable areas, there was a considerable volume of unemployment during the past winter.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

Does this same report show that there is a great reduction during the summer?

Dr. ADDISON

No. So far as our information goes, employment during the summer appears to be about normal.

Brigadier-General Sir HENRY CROFT

Docs it not show that the demand of over 200 of my hon. Friends that this question should be grappled with now is one of which notice should be taken?

Major BRAITHWAITE

Will the Government take some steps to have a proper and accurate record kept of this class of employment?

Dr. ADDISON

We do obtain such records as we have power to obtain.

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