§ Mr. NEVILLEI beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture whether, seeing that many civilians, who are unable to serve their country in the fighting line or in positions connected with the war, are anxious to serve their country in the harvest field, wherein there may be a shortage of harvesters, he can inform the House whether there is any machinery at the Board of Agriculture or elsewhere whereby farmers or small holders short of hands can notify such shortage, and where volunteers, who would not in the ordinary course be likely to go to Labour Bureaus, can ascertain where their services would be useful and acceptable, and, if not, whether he can see his way to establish a bureau for that 2256 purpose with branches in touch with the county councils of agricultural counties or other agencies for bringing willing workers to the harvest field, or can give any advice to the public on the matter?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELCommunications are passing between the Local Government Board and the Board of Agriculture with a view to the establishment of an organisation which will adjust the requirements of the labour market as far as possible, and particularly with regard to the need for labour for harvesting operations. It may be possible to use some unemployed labour from the urban districts to meet the needs of rural districts.
§ Mr. NEVILLEMay I refer to the Board of Agriculture anybody who writes to me on the matter?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELYes, Sir.
§ Mr. JAMES HOGGEWhat has become of the organisation of the Labour Exchanges in this matter?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThe Labour Exchanges are engaged in the matter, but I think it needs some special steps, because as a rule labour would not be readily transferred from an urban to a rural district.
§ Sir COURTENAY WARNERWill they undertake the removal of horses from places where there are plenty at present to places where there are very few?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELNotice should be given of that question, which does not fall within my Department.