§ 31. Mr. KIRKWOODasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has any estimate of the number of agricultural workers unemployed in Scotland at present?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Mr. Skelton)I regret that I am unable to give such an estimate; but I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the Monthly Agricultural Report of the Department of Agriculture for Scotland for January, 1933, which contains some figures and observations on this subject.
§ 36. Mr. BOOTHBYasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state what action he proposes to take to combat the prevailing depression in Scottish agriculture?
§ Mr. SKELTONAs my hon. Friend is aware, important steps have been taken with the object of making farming in Scotland more profitable. I am not at present in a position to make a statement regarding further action to be taken, but my hon. Friend may be assured that the Government is giving constant attention to the problems of the agricultural industry and to the possibility of further measures in its behalf.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSWill the hon. Gentleman tell us what steps are being 796 taken by the Government to make agriculture profitable?
§ Mr. SKELTONNo, Sir, I will not. The House knows them very well.
§ Mr. BOOTHBYMay I ask the hon. Gentleman whether he considers farming is profitable at the present time?
§ Mr. SKELTONI do not propose, even with your permission, Mr. Deputy-Speaker, to enter upon an agricultural Debate at Question time.