§ 55. Mr. Joynson-Hicksasked the Minister of Agriculture what is the annual deficit on the cost of operating and maintaining hostels for agricultural workers.
§ Mr. T. WilliamsThe deficit on the operation and maintenance of hostels for agricultural workers, including the Women's Land Army, in 1946–47, the latest year for which figures are available, is estimated at £520,000. This figure does not take account of expenditure borne on the Votes of other Departments, such as the Ministry of Works and Post Office.
§ Mr. Joynson-HicksIn view of the alarming cost to the taxpayer of these hostels, is the right hon. Gentleman doing anything in order to make them self-supporting, and if not, why not?
§ Mr. WilliamsThe hon. Member should know that the cause of loss includes wastage of labour, absences due to unnecessary holidays, and inability, for a variety of reasons, to work the hostels all the year round to their full capacity. All practicable steps are taken to ensure that vacancies in hostels are kept down to the minimum but, in the year in question, the hostels were occupied only to the extent of approximately 75 per cent. for reasons over which we have had no control.
§ 62 and 63. Mr. Joynson-Hicksasked the Minister of Agriculture (1) to what extent the physical standards required in hostels for agricultural workers has recently been changed; when are the alterations to be carried out; and at what cost;
619 (2) what arrangements he is making for the housing of European voluntary workers in agricultural districts; for how many he is making provision; what is the capital cost thereof; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. T. WilliamsThe structural scales and standards of hostels for male agricultural workers employed by agricultural executive committees have been revised recently to conform generally with those for industrial workers' hostels. Selected accommodation formerly held by the Service Departments in agricultural districts is now being converted, as required, for use as civilian labour hostels. The programme includes the provision of hostel accommodation for about 25,000 European Volunteer Workers. The main adaptations necessary to bring the accommodation up to standard are being undertaken by the Ministry of Works, and the costs of this service are borne on the Vote of that Department.
§ Mr. Joynson-HicksWill the right hon. Gentleman make representations to the Minister of Works to ensure that a similar standard of conditions can be made available to British agricultural labourers in farm cottages?
§ Mr. WilliamsI am prepared, if the hon. Member desires it, to give him a copy of the new structural scales and standards that have been prepared.