HC Deb 10 December 1936 vol 318 c2143
7 and 8. Captain DOWER

asked the Minister of Labour (1) whether his attention has been drawn to the shortage of labour in the agricultural districts of Cumberland; and will he consider training unemployed miners in these districts who have little or no prospect of work;

(2) whether he will consider taking powers to compensate farmers in Cumberland who employ unemployed miners during their period of training by the difference between the rate of pay paid to youths and the rate of adult labour?

Mr. E. BROWN

Apart from purely seasonal requirements for short periods, I have no evidence of shortage of agricultural labour in these districts, but I shall be glad to consider any particulars which my hon. Friend may send to me.

Captain DOWER

Is my right hon. Friend aware that miners could be given work if farmers could only get assistance in the way of unskilled and other labour?

Mr. BROWN

The issue is not quite that. In Cumberland there are 318 agricultural workers registered as unemployed. The real trouble is that the work is seasonal, which is a different matter.