§ Sir J. Langford-Holtasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) with which groups he compared agricultural workers before reaching the decision that they are one of the groups with the highest percentage of the labour force living in tied cottages; and which groups have a higher percentage;
(2) what statistics he has used and what statistical confirmation exists which have made him decide that agricultural workers are one of the groups with the highest percentage of the labour force living in tied cottages.
§ Mr. StrangI assume that the hon. Member is referring not to ministerial decisions but to the Shelter Report on Tied Accommodation, published last November.
There is a passage in this report which reads:
Although only 10 per cent. of the country's total of tied dwellings is accounted for by agricultural tied cottages, the agricultural workers are one of the groups with the highest percentage of the labour force living in tied cottages (approximately 70 per cent.)".
§ Sir J. Langford-Holtasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish the statistical information on 121W which he based his conclusion that both numerically and proportionately occupants of agricultural tied cottages in practice enjoy a lower level of security of tenure than in any other industry.
§ Mr. StrangI assume the hon. Member is referring to correspondence between one of my officials and the County Secretary of the Shropshire NFU.
We do not have statistical information of the nature referred to. However, the hon. Member will be aware of the campaign which has been waged by the agricultural workers against the tied cottage since the end of the last century which has not been paralleled in any other industry.