Viscountess ASTORasked the Minister of Health if an inspection of hop fields 1493W was conducted by the officers of his Department during the 1929 season; and, if so, whether the reports satisfy him as to the adequate protection of the hoppickers?
§ Mr. GREENWOOD11 rural districts in which hop fields are situated were visited by an officer of my Department in 1929. In some instances unsatisfactory features were observed and the attention of the local authorities concerned has been drawn to them.
Viscountess ASTORasked the Minister of Health how many councils in the hop-growing districts of Kent have adopted the model rules approved by the Ministry of Health for the purpose of obtaining reasonable conditions for the hoppickers?
§ Mr. GREENWOODBy-laws based on the model by-laws have been adopted by 21 local authorities, covering practically all the hop-growing area in Kent.
Viscountess ASTORasked the Minister of Health if any prosecutions of hop growers were undertaken during 1929 and, if so, with what result?
§ Mr. GREENWOODI have no complete information on this subject, but I am informed that fines amounting to £40 were imposed in 1929 on four hop growers in the area of the Maidstone Rural District Council for offences against the by-laws with respect to the accommodation of persons engaged in hop-picking.