HC Deb 14 February 1933 vol 274 cc807-8
42. Captain ARCHIBALD RAMSAY

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether any steps have been taken to find occupation on the land for unemployed miners in the industrial belt in Scotland?

Mr. SKELTON

I must apologise for the length of this answer, but it is of some importance in view of the interest taken on this subject.

In the latter part of last year my right hon. Friend instructed the Department of Agriculture for Scotland to find out the extent of the demand among unemployed miners and others for plots of half to one acre of land or thereabouts to be cultivated in the vicinity of their homes. An experimental and limited scheme of this nature has now been started by the Department at the cost of the Agriculture (Scotland) Fund in eight centres in Mid and West Lothian, Lanarkshire, Dumbartonshire, Ayrshire and Fife, to demonstrate the possibility of meeting the requirements of men who desire plots of land. In some of these centres the men are already on the ground. If other men desire a plot of land in these areas and apply at once to the Department, they will do their best to meet requirements so far as the range of the experiment permits.

It is proposed to supply the necessary seeds, fertilisers and implements and to recover the cost by weekly instalments after the end of the first working season. Similarly a charge for rent will be made, but not for the first season of occupancy.

Mr. T. WILLIAMS

May I ask whether these ex-miners will not be debarred from receiving unemployment benefit during the time that they are cultivating these holdings?

Mr. SKELTON

In answer to that question, I may say that my right hon. Friend and I are generally satisfied that that matter is in a satisfactory condition. If the hon. Member desires further information, I would recommend him to put a question to the Minister of Labour.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Can the hon. Gentleman give the House an idea of the size of the holdings and the security of tenure?

Mr. SKELTON

The size I have mentioned. Generally, they are between half-an-acre and an acre in size.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

And the security of tenure?

Mr. SKELTON

It is not so much a question of security of tenure as of how long these men will be unemployed to cultivate the holdings. In some cases the Department has bought the land, and in other cases has leased land over a period of years, but I could not give the periods without notice.