HC Deb 30 November 1948 vol 458 cc1787-9
8. Mr. Douglas Marshall

asked the Minister of Labour what was the total number of unemployed agricultural workers in Cornwall for the week ended 20th November or to the nearest date available.

Mr. Isaacs

Fifty-seven men and nine women at 13th September. Corresponding figures are not available for any later date.

Mr. Marshall

Can the Minister give any explanation why these workers should be unemployed?

Mr. Isaacs

It is because—I do not say this facetiously—at present there happen to be no farmers who want to employ them.

Major Bruce

Can my right hon. Friend give comparable figures for the year 1933?

Hon. Members

1931.

Mr. Beechman

Would the Minister see that the figures now being obtained are made known to us, because I have no idea what are the present figures and should be very much obliged if I could have details?

Mr. Isaacs

I am not quite sure which figures the hon. and learned Member is asking should be made known.

Mr. Tiffany

Are these unemployed agricultural workers allowed to enter other industries in order that they shall not remain unemployed?

Mr. Isaacs

Yes, Sir. If there is no work for an agricultural worker in his own industry, we endeavour to place him in other work.

Mr. Marshall

Is the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries aware of these figures, and will the right hon. Gentleman impress upon that Minister the need to concentrate upon a proper horticultural policy?

Mr. Isaacs

I do not think it is necessary to press that other point, of which, I believe, note is taken. I can, however, assure the hon. Member that where these figures occur, we shall consult my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture to see whether there is any reasonable opportunity of employing them in their own industry.

Mr. Beechman

I do not think the Minister quite understood my question; perhaps I had not correctly heard his reply. He said he had the figures only to 13th September. All I wanted to know was the recent figures, so that we may be aware of full and up-to-date details.

Mr. Isaacs

I said that I did not understand the question which the hon. and learned Gentleman had asked. Certainly, I will let him know the figures.