HC Deb 17 February 1915 vol 69 cc1111-2
26. Mr. DENMAN

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether it is the policy of the Board to encourage the organisation and use of all other available forms of labour in preference to withdrawing children from school?

Sir HARRY VERNEY

The reply is in the affirmative.

43. Mr. PETO

asked the President of the Board of Education whether attention has been called to the case of George Culpin, a farmer, who was summoned at Northampton for not sending his son to school and who was fined 10s., although he stated that all his labourers had left him to join the Army and he could not work his farm without the assistance of his boy; and whether he will take some steps to provide that people shall not be punished for endeavouring to work their farms so as to produce food that is so urgently required?

Mr. ROBERTSON

My right hon. Friend has seen a short newspaper account of this case, but has no information as to the facts on which the magistrates decided it. He has no power to review the decision of the magistrates.

Mr. CHARLES DUNCAN

Would it not be possible to put this particular farmer into communication with the Labour Exchanges?