HC Deb 11 November 1937 vol 328 c1821
37. Major Carver

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the official announcement on 13th September that there were 20,097 agricultural workers between 14 and 64 years of age reported as unemployed, he can state the exact sub-division of these figures by counties?

Mr. E. Brown

I am having the figures extracted and will circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT as soon as they are available.

Brigadier-General Clifton Brown

Can my right hon. Friend say whether the 20, 000 agricultural workers included private gardeners?

Mr. Brown

They were registered on 13th September and, of course, are spread throughout the whole register.

Mr. Lunn

In view of the figures given in this question, is it not clear that the real reason why the farmers cannot get agricultural labour is that they will not pay fair and reasonable wages?

Mr. Brown

Obviously I could not debate that at Question Time.