HC Deb 15 June 1948 vol 452 cc228-30
18. Mr. J. L. Williams

asked the Minister of Labour the number of European volunteer workers now in Scotland; the numbers of them employed as land workers and in other occupations, respectively; the average weekly number of days or hours during which they are so employed; and the average weekly payment received by them.

Mr. Ness Edwards

Up to 12th June, 5,495 European volunteer workers had been placed in work in Scotland. 3,858 of these were placed in agriculture, and the remainder in other occupations. Hours of work and wages are the same as for British workers.

Mr. Williams

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the strong feeling existing in certain districts against these Europeans on account of the small amount of work supposed to be done by them, and will he examine the position?

Mr. Ness Edwards

I am afraid that this is one of the consequences of the variable weather in Scotland as against the weather in England. It is difficult to plan intakes into an industry which depends so much on the weather.

Mr. Thornton-Kemsley

Does the right hon. Member realise that he has not answered the Question. The Question asks the number of European voluntary workers now in Scotland, and the figure he gave was the number who were placed in work? Can he say how many there are in Scotland?

Mr. Ness Edwards

I have given the number who are placed in agriculture in Scotland, and in that sense I think I have answered the Question completely.

Mr. Scollan

Does the figure also include those Polish soldiers who were stationed in Scotland and volunteered for this class of work?

Mr. Ness Edwards

No, Sir. It refers to the European voluntary workers.

Colonel Gomme-Duncan

Is the right hon. Member aware that the weather in Scotland this year has been just as good on the average as in England, and why does he mention that particularly?

Mr. Ness Edwards

Because it seems that in Scotland they have had a very good season so far, and that the labour has been used much more effectively, with the result that not quite so much labour as was first thought has been wanted.

Mr. Gallacher

Will the Parliamentary Secretary consider employing these men on other work while they are waiting for employment on the land?

Mr. Ness Edwards

Those arrangements are in hand.

Mr. Vane

When the Parliamentary Secretary uses the word "agriculture," does it include horticulture and forestry?

Mr. Ness Edwards

One usually uses the word in that sense.