HC Deb 29 October 1936 vol 316 cc10-1
16. Mr. H. G. WILLIAMS

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of employed persons in agriculture in Great Britain at the time of the annual agricultural returns in June last; and how many of these were insured under the agricultural unemployment insurance scheme?

The MINISTER of PENSIONS (Mr. Ramsbotham)

I have been asked to reply. The total number of persons employed in agriculture in Great Britain as returned on the annual Agricultural Schedules on 4th June last was 749,700. As regards the second part of the question, I am informed by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour that an estimate of the number of persons insured under the Agricultural Unemployment Insurance Scheme in Great Britain is being prepared and will be available about the middle of next month.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Having regard to the fact that the number of people employed in agriculture has declined by 100,000 in the past four years, will my hon. Friend be able to make a statement on the policy to be adopted to deal with that situation?

Mr. RAMSBOTHAM

That is quite another question.