§ 22. Lord SCONEasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that the number of Scottish agricultural workers has decreased during the period 1926 to 1931 by 13,629, or 10.8 per cent.; and whether he will impress upon the Government the necessity for a policy which, by encouraging the production of oats and barley, will bring more land under the plough and thus check this increasing rural depopulation?
§ Sir A. SINCLAIRI am aware that the total number of agricultural workers returned on 4th June, 1931, shows, as compared with that returned on 4th June, 1926, the decrease stated by my Noble Friend. I would, however, point out that regular workers have decreased in number by 5,548 or 5.4 per cent., while casual workers are fewer by 8,081, or 35.1 per cent. The number of casual workers employed at a given date depends on the requirements of the season, and changes in their number are of less significance than changes in the number of regular workers. It is confidently anticipated that one effect of the Government's policy will be to check rural depopulation in Scotland.
§ Mr. C. WILLIAMSMay we conclude from that that the effect of the Government's policy of tariffs is to check rural depopulation?