HC Deb 14 June 1937 vol 325 cc16-7
39. Colonel Ropner

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the Westmorland County Council has agreed to give road men who are prepared to take work in the hay fields a month's leave to enable them to do so without penalty; and whether, in view of the present shortage of agricultural labour, he will take steps to induce the public authorities of other agricultural counties to take similar action where they can spare men for urgent seasonal work?

The Minister of Labour (Mr. Ernest Brown)

In some instances my Department has already taken opportunities of conferring with local authorities on the question of dove-tailing their requirements for men for road work with those of seasonal agricultural employment. The matter is one within the discretion of local authorities, who will no doubt make similar arrangements where circumstances permit.

Mr. Leslie

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that the Employment Exchanges are first utilised, since they have 1,500,000 people registered as unemployed?