§ 21. Captain PLUGGEasked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to the reluctance of non-agricultural workers in receipt of a high scale of public assistance to take up agricultural work in which there is a lower scale of unemployment benefit; and whether his Department has any specific recommendations as to how these difficulties are to be avoided?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MUIRHEADThe attention of my right hon. Friend has not been drawn to the circumstances which my hon. and gallant Friend mentions, but if he cares to send me particulars, I will consider the position.
§ Captain PLUGGEIn view of the seasonal demand for labour on the land, will my hon. and gallant Friend make special investigation?
§ Mr. MONTAGUEDoes the Minister know of any agricultural districts where there is a high scale of unemployment assistance? Can we have an idea what a "high scale" means?
§ Mr. PALINGWould not the difficulty disappear if they paid decent wages for agricultural work?
§ Mr. GALLACHERWould it not disappear if they removed tithe from the land?