§ Sir R. THOMASasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that a large number of agricultural laboureres are allowed to loaf about villages on unemployment pay owing to the loose methods of the Labour Exchanges; and whether he will, having regard to the great scarcity of labour for planting and sowing, consider some means of remedying this evil?
§ Sir R. HORNEI am aware that a number of men who have registered as agricultural labourers are out of employment and drawing donation. Agricultural labourers are particularly difficult to place in employment at a distance from their homes, owing,inter alia, to the dearth of housing accommodation in many of the districts where labour is most wanted, anl the unwillingness of some employers to engage other than local men. As regards the scarcity of labour for planting and sowing, I can assure the hon. Member that constant attention is being given to this matter by the local representatives of this Department in consultation with those of the Board of Agriculture.