HC Deb 14 April 1953 vol 514 cc11-2
13. Mr. Patrick Maitland

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland to what he attributes the decline in the agricultural labour force in Scotland from 108,000 in June, 1948, to 99,000 in December, 1950, as disclosed by the Department of Agriculture for Scotland; and what steps he proposes to remedy this continued drift from the land.

Mr. Maitland

On a point of order. The second date in my Question should be December, 1952.

Mr. Stuart

I hope my hon. Friend will forgive me if I read the answer I have. I shall be ready to consider any alterations later.

No precise information is available as to the reasons for the decline in the agricultural labour force in Scotland, a fall which is by no means peculiar to that country. Some part of this general decline must be attributed to increased mechanisation and to normal seasonal variation. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and I are considering possible steps to prevent any serious decrease in the force.

Mr. Maitland

While thanking my right hon. Friend for the reply as written, may I ask him whether he is aware that the continued drain of agricultural workers into the Forces under the call-up is encouraging the drift from the land, and will he continue to use his influence to the end that the agricultural call-up should be minimised as much as possible?

Mr. Stuart

Certainly, Sir. I would like to say to my hon. Friend that a proper comparison would be the month of June, 1948, with the month of June, 1950, or 1952, and I shall be glad to give him the figures if he wishes. The June, 1952, figure is 102,278.

Mr. Gooch

Does the Secretary of State agree that it might assist in preventing the drift from the land in Scotland if Scottish farmers were forced to pay the same wages as English farmers?

Mr. Stuart

That is a different question. [Interruption.] Well it is, it is simply not on the Order Paper. I have every reason to suppose that the wages paid in Scotland do not compare unfavourably.

Mr. Ross

Although the Secretary of State considers that this is a different question, surely the wages that are paid in Scotland, 10s.—[HON. MEMBERS: "5s."]—below those in England, have something to do with the decline in manpower in the Scottish agricultural industry?

Mr. Stuart

It is not necessarily the minimum wages that are paid in Scotland.

Hon. Members

Oh!