§ 11. Mr. Douglas Marshallasked the Minister of Labour what is the number of unemployed in the horticultural industry in Cornwall to the latest available date.
§ Mr. IsaacsSeparate figures are not available for the horticultural industry as such. The latest available figures for farm workers and gardeners are: Farm and market garden work, 89 men and 12 women and for gardening and nursery work (including job gardening) 26 men.
§ Mr. MarshallMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman to bring this to the notice of the Minister of Food?
§ Mr. BeechmanWhile I am obliged to the Minister for having sent me the December figures during the Recess, as I requested, since these show a noticeable 171 increase on the September figures, would he be so good as to give this matter constant and special attention?
§ Mr. IsaacsIt is having consideration. The problem is that at this period of the year there is unemployment in agriculture.
§ Commander AgnewWould it help to reduce the numbers of those unemployed if the Minister of Agriculture adopted a more sympathetic attitude to the request of the broccoli industry for additional protection from foreign imports?