asked the Minister of of Agriculture whether he is aware that many agricultural workers have lost their employment as a result of the destruction of cattle suffering from foot-and-mouth disease; and whether he is prepared to take the necessary steps to ensure that the moneys provided for compensation for loss of cattle shall include compensation for loss of employment?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that, as a result of an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Dorset, a number of farm workers are out of employment and suffering through loss of wages; and whether, in view of the fact that employers receive compensation for loss of stock, he will take steps to make if possible for compensation to be paid to unemployed farm workers for the loss they sustain?

I am informed that 13 farm workers were thrown out of employment in consequence of the slaughter of stock due to recent outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease in Dorsetshire. All of them were engaged by the Ministry for work on infected premises for varying periods. I understand that four have now obtained other employment, and that six will be re-engaged when their former employers' premises begin to be restocked. I have at the moment no information concerning the prospects of the other three. Compensation under the Diseases of Animals Acts in respect of foot-and-mouth disease is limited to and based upon the value of animals slaughtered, and there is no power to pay compensation either to employer or employé under any other heading.

In view of the fact that the destruction of these cattle, resulting in the loss of a job to the agricultural labourer, imposes a hardship upon him very often as keen as that imposed on the farmer himself, is it not possible to pay compensation to both parties?

There is no statutory power to pay compensation to either party other than the actual value of the animal slaughtered; loss of employment does not come into it in either case.

In view of the fact that in 1925 a departmental committee recommended the payment of compensation, does not the Minister think it is time that he should bring in a Bill to deal with this matter?

The inter-departmental committee in 1926 made no specific recommendation on that point.