§ Major CARVERasked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that there is a shortage of labour in connection with certain current seasonable crops; whether reports have reached his Department to this effect; and in connection with what crops this has been so?
§ Mr. C. EDWARDSAlthough statements have been made that there are shortages in connection with such crops as peas, fruit and hay, they appear to relate to isolated instances of temporary uncertainty as to the availability of local labour, and there appears to be no real shortage of labour for seasonal work.
§ Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLEasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the shortage of labour for fruit-picking in Essex; and what steps the Government are taking to encourage unemployed men and women to engage in this work?
§ Mr. EDWARDSThere does not appear to be any shortage of labour for fruit picking in Essex, and consequently the second part of the question does not arise.