95.
asked the Minister of Agriculture to what causes he attributes the drift of agricultural workers from the land; and what steps he is taking to bring the drift to an end.
The general trend of a drift from the land is not new. It is probably due to the greater economic and social opportunities which town life seems to offer. A factor in the present phase is the rapid increase in farm mechanisation, resulting in increased output per man, so that production has been rising although the number of regular workers has been falling.
It is the Government's policy, like that of its predecessors, to improve amenities and public services in rural areas in every way possible. Specific help in this connection has been given by the recent removal of licensing restrictions and the increased taxation relief affecting both new house building and improvement work, which are doing much to improve living conditions in rural areas.