Agricultural Workers

HC Deb 16 March 1959 vol 602 cc4-5

4. Mr. C. Hughes

asked the Minister of Agriculture. Fisheries and Food the number of agricultural workers who ceased to be employed on the land during the year 1958.

The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. John Hare)

According to the Agricultural Returns on 4th December, 1958, there was a net reduction compared with December, 1957, of 6,700, or about 1½ per cent., in the number of regular whole-time agricultural workers on agricultural holdings in England and Wales.

Mr. Hughes

Are not these figures very disturbing? Would the Minister not agree that if the drift from the land continues on this scale indefinitely it will have far-reaching effects on the agricultural industry? Whilst mechanisation may be one of the reasons for this drift from the land, it is not the only reason. Will not the Minister now consider setting up an independent inquiry to find out all the reasons for this serious drift from the land?

Mr. Hare

I have some sympathy with what the hon. Member has said, but it must be realised that, as efficiency increases, it is possible to do the same amount of work with a smaller labour force. While the number of workers has been falling, total production has been increasing. I would also point out that the number of young people of school-leaving age who are coming into the industry is very satisfactory and that there is an immense demand in agriculture for the skilled worker, who will still continue to find his place there.

Mr. T. Williams

Will the Minister provide us with an estimate of the extent to which he considers that the loss of agricultural workers is due to increased efficiency, increased use of machinery, or the working of long hours by agricultural workers?

Mr. Hare

I have said that possibly the main causes are increased efficiency and increased mechanisation. That must be so when one looks at today's picture of increased output with a smaller labour force.

Mr. Williams

Since the Minister accepts that efficiency is increasing all the time, as it has been ever since 1947, is it not now time that the agricultural worker enjoyed some of the advantages of this increased efficiency?

Mr. Hare

The right hon. Gentleman is being a little ingenuous. He knows very well that there have been wage increases and that hours are shorter. It would be inappropriate for me at this juncture, when certain applications are being put forward, to pursue the matter further.