Mr. T. Morrisasked the Minister of Agriculture what is the percentage of employment amongst the agricultural labourers in Wales; and whether, before approving the establishment of an additional beet-sugar factory in Wales, he will consider whether employment can be given in that area at less cost to the taxpayer by the alternative establishment of a factory for canning fruit, vegetables, or meat?
§ Mr. W. S. MorrisonStatistics of employment amongst agricultural labourers in Wales are not available for a recent date. It is provisionally estimated that in July, 1936, there were approximately 25,000 workers aged 16 to 64 in Wales 1363W and Monmouth insured under the agricultural scheme of Unemployment Insurance. On the 22nd February, 1937, the number of insured workers of these ages recorded as unemployed was 1,682. With regard to the second part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on the 23rd February to my hon. Friends the Members for Hallam (Mr. L. Smith) and King's Lynn (Mr. Maxwell), of which I am sending him a copy, and I can assure him that all relevant consideration will be taken into account before any decision is reached with regard to the suggestion that a beet-sugar factory should be established in South Wales.