Mr. HARMSWORTHasked the Secretary for Scotland the number of farm servants who have emigrated from Scotland during each of the last five years; and whether he has any information as to how far this emigration is caused by the lack of proper housing for farm servants throughout Scotland?
Mr. McKINNON WOODI am informed that the classification in past years has not been so arranged as to admit of separating Scottish passengers from other British subjects. During the nine months, April-December, 1912, when persons intending to reside permanently in countries abroad 35W have been distinguished in the passenger lists, 2,857 males of eighteen years and upwards (in addition to 243 other males over twelve whose precise age was not specified), whose occupations show them to belong to the agricultural class, left permanent residence in Scotland to reside permanently outside the United Kingdom. The figures apply to British subjects only, and do not include aliens. Some of these are no doubt agriculturists other than farm servants. On the other hand, a certain number described merely as "labourers" may have been farm servants. This number cannot, however, be large, since during the nine months in question there were less than 1,900 emigrants from Scotland classed as labourers. I have no information as regards the last part of the question, but as my hon. Friend is aware, a Royal Commission is now investigating the whole question of rural and other housing in Scotland.
Mr. HARMSWORTHasked the Secretary for Scotland whether the housing of crofters, crofter fishermen, and cottar fishermen comes within the purview of the inquiry of the Royal Commission on Housing (Scotland); and, if not, whether he can see his way to extend the reference of this Committee to include the housing of these classes?