§ THE PAYMASTER-GENERAL (LORD HUTCHISON OF MONTROSE)My Lords, I beg to move that the Draft Order which stands in my name be approved. Noble Lords will recollect that when the Unemployment Insurance (Agricultural Workers) Bill, which is now an Act, was before the House, various noble Lords pressed the Government to include private gardeners within the scope of the scheme. I recollect Lord Phillimore, Lord Radnor, Lord Mansfield and others pressing the Government on that point. It is also within the recollection of noble Lords that I said then that I had the mind of the Minister in saying that he wanted further information and examination of this subject before these gardeners could be included in the Bill, but he promised that the question 709 would be put before the Statutory Committee, and that if and when the Statutory Committee reported favourably he would at once table an Order. The question was put before the Statutory Committee on April 23. After a very careful examination they came to the conclusion that it was desirable, and on July 3 they issued a Report to the Minister recommending that private gardeners should be included in the scheme. I may say that the numbers are estimated to be about 125,000. The Treasury have approved of the scheme and intimate that it will cost them somewhere about £100,000. I do not think there is any disagreement amongst your Lordships as to the necessity for this Order, and I can only conclude by saying that I have great pleasure in recommending it for your Lordships' approval.
§ Moved, That the Draft Order, as reported from the Special Orders Committee on Tuesday the 1st instant, be approved.—(Lord Hutchison of Montrose.)
§ On Question, Motion agreed to.