Colonel Hutchisonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the result during 1949 of the gang labour service for Scotland; how the income received from farmers for hire of labour compares with the total costs of maintaining hostels and camps; and if he will make a statement on the policy for next year.
§ Mr. WoodburnThe gang labour service at the disposal of Scottish farmers in 1949 made its appropriate contribution, along with the regular and seasonal labour available from other sources, to the operations required for the carrying out of the Food Production Programme, The receipts from farmers for the hire of this labour during the financial year 1949 are estimated at £866,000 against expenditure of £1,195,300 on wages, equipment and transport. The net cost of maintaining hostels and camps, after allowing for recoveries from resident workers, is estimated at £196,000. The policy for next year will be to continue the process, which has been in operation for some time, of dispensing with camps and hostels wherever and whenever their continuance is no longer required.