§ 41. Mr. T. WILLIAMSasked the Minister of Agriculture the number of persons who were employed in agriculture on 1st October, 1931, excluding owner-occupiers and farmers, and at the latest date for which figures are available?
Major DAVIESThe total number of workers employed on agricultural holdings exceeding one acre in England and Wales on the 4th June—excluding occupiers, their wives and domestic servants—was 716,600 in 1931 and 672,100 in 1935. Figures are not available of the numbers on the 1st October in either of these years.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSCan the hon. and gallant Gentleman give the House any idea why there has been this terrific reduction in the numbers of people employed in agriculture?
§ Sir FRANK SANDERSONIs not the reduction primarily due to the mechanisation of agriculture?