§ 39. Mr. Dreweasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that there is a serious shortage of skilled agricultural labour in the country; and whether he has any proposal to make to improve the economic condition of the industry to enable a sufficient wage to be paid to attract labour back to the land?
§ Mr. W. S. MorrisonI would refer my hon. Friend to the replies given on 9th March and 19th January, respectively, to questions by the hon. Member for Consett (Mr. David Adams) and my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for South Salford (Major Stourton).
§ Mr. T. WilliamsCan the right hon. Gentleman tell the House of any period in history when agriculture was prosperous or less prosperous when agricultural labourers received a reasonable wage?
§ Mr. PalingDo we understand that in spite of all the millions poured into the agricultural industry it is still in an uneconomic condition?
§ Mr. MorrisonThe policy of His Majesty's Government is directed towards making the industry economic and able to pay good wages.