§ Major BRAITHWAITEasked the Minister of Agriculture if his attention has been drawn to the increase in unemployed farm labourers in the East Hiding of Yorkshire; and if he will consider bringing farm labourers under the National Unemployment Insurance Scheme at such rates as are within their means?
Mr. GUINNESSInstances have been reported to me of unemployment amongst farm workers in certain parts of the East Riding of Yorkshire this winter, but they appear to be exceptional, and the position in regard to agricultural employment over England and Wales as a whole does not show any necessity for the re-consideration of the question of the application of compulsory unemployment insurance to agriculture. The question was fully considered in 1926 on reports presented by an Inter-Departmental Committee appointed to examine the matter when the Government decided that no case had been made out for such application.