§ 52. Mr. Molsonasked the Minister of Agriculture what steps he proposes to take to reduce expenditure upon agricultural hostels.
Mr. T. WilliamsCounty agricultural executive committee pool labour is being progressively reduced, and the hostel accommodation serving this labour is being reduced to match. About 150 hostels have been given up in the last six months. Concurrently every effort will continue to be made to secure economy in the operation of the hostels which remain.
§ Mr. BaldwinIs the Minister aware that these hostels are occupied very largely by unemployables? These hostels should be done away with as soon as possible, and the money made available to the Minister of Health in order to build houses for farm workers at rents they can afford to pay.
Mr. WilliamsI am not aware that these hostels are occupied by unemployables. The hon. Member cannot ever have visited one of them or he would not dare to make that suggestion.
§ Mr. BaldwinI have employed such people.