§ 50. Mr. Lipsonasked the Minister of Agriculture the extent of the existing shortage of agricultural labour?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithI have received reports of a shortage of agricultural labour, and especially of skilled workers, in a number of districts, but it is not possible to state precisely the extent of the deficiency.
§ Mr. LipsonIs it not the fact that the success of Government agricultural policy must depend upon an adequate supply of 1804 skilled agricultural workers, and will the Minister take steps to find out the exact extent of that shortage?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithIt is not possible in any given district to say how many workers these should be, but that there is a shortage and that we want to get men back to the land, there is no doubt at all.
Mr. De la BèreIs it not true that there is a decrease each month of agricultural labourers on the land?