HC Deb 24 January 1956 vol 548 c1W
2. Mr. Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, to what extent the labour force in the agricultural industry has declined in the last 12 months; and what steps are being taken to arrest the decline.

Mr. N. Macpherson

The June, 1955, census showed that at that date the total labour force in Scotland had fallen by 4,376 as compared with June, 1954. Provisional figures for December indicate an increase of some three hundred. With regard to the second part of the Question I would refer to the statement by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture in reply to Questions on 24th November last.