HC Deb 20 February 1930 vol 235 cc1601-2W
Mr. de ROTHSCHILD

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many persons were engaged in agriculture in Great Britain in the years 1913 and 1929, respectively; how many of these were men and how many women; and what was the number of agricultural labourers?

Dr. ADDISON

It is estimated that the total number of persons engaged in the agricultural and horticultural industries in England and Wales in 1925 was 1,100,000, of which about 300,000 were employers or working on their own account and about 800,000 employed. According to the returns collected annually by the Ministry, the numbers of persons employed on agricultural holdings exceeding one acre on 4th June of that year and for the year 1929 were as follow:

diseases of sheep, particularly those known as struck and gangrene, which cause serious loss among, approximately, 250,000 sheep in Romney Marsh and the adjoining pastures?

Dr. ADDISON

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to a similar question on 17th February, of which I am sending him a copy.