§ 13. Mr. George Jegerasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that able-bodied keepers are being employed to preserve pheasants in large numbers; and whether he will take action to see that these men are more usefully employed in agriculture.
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsStatistics of the numbers of men employed as gamekeepers are not available. Men covered by the Control of Engagement Order will not be submitted for such employment so long as other more useful work is available for them, but I do not intend to take any steps to secure the transfer of those already so employed.
§ Mr. JegerIs not the Parliamentary Secretary aware that there is considerable dissatisfaction in the countryside because of the employment of able-bodied gamekeepers, especially when agricultural workers, who are being urged to greater production, see these semi-employed and 959 mis-employed men on the estates in the countryside?
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsWe think that there is some obligation on the part of the citizens who employ these people. We hope that they will put them to much more useful employment.