HC Deb 09 August 1916 vol 85 cc1035-7
24. Mr. PETO

asked the Secretary of State for War whether 27,000 men are to be spared for harvest work in various parts of the country; whether he is aware that only forty-eight are allotted to the county of Wiltshire; and whether, in view of the need for harvest labour there and the importance of this county from an agricultural point of view, he will see that a more adequate allotment is made?

Mr. FORSTER

The 27,000 men to be made available for harvest work throughout the country will be distributed to the best advantage, and on this point the Army Council will be guided by the advice of the Board of Agriculture. I think my hon. Friend was premature in concluding that the county of Wiltshire, well known to be an important agricultural county, had received a final allotment of forty-eight men.

Mr. SNOWDEN

Can the hon. Gentleman say on what terms these men will be employed? Will they be paid the ordinary soldier's pay, and will any charge be made to the employers?

Mr. FORSTER

Speaking generally, where the; men are employed as civilians they are treated as civilians in regard to their pay. Where they are employed in working parties under military command as soldiers, they receive the emoluments of soldiers.

Mr. SNOWDEN

Is no charge made to the farmers for their services?

Mr. FORSTER

The farmer has to pay the wages

Mr. SNOWDEN

May I make my question a little clearer? Where these men are employed on agricultural work as soldiers and receive soldier's pay, is the farmer expected to pay anybody anything in addition to the soldier's pay?

Mr. FORSTER

Naturally we cannot allow the employers to make a profit out of the employment of soldiers.

Mr. ANDERSON

Does the War Office make a profit out of the employment of soldiers? Does not the soldier, if employed as an agricultural labourer, get the ordinary agricultural labourer's wages in the district?

Mr. FORSTER

He gets more.

Mr. ANDERSON

He never gets less?

Mr. FORSTER

The best thing I can do is to send the hon. Member the Army Order under which these arrangements are made.

Mr. PRINGLE

In cases where men are employed in working parties under military command, to whom is the difference between ordinary agricultural labourer's pay and soldier's pay given?

Mr. FORSTER

I am not sure that the situation arises in connection with agricultural employment. It has arisen in connection with the shipment of munitions and things of that kind. The hon. Member will realise that we cannot allow contractors to make a profit out of the employment of soldiers, and, therefore, either in the terms of their contract or in other ways we expect them to pay to the State the full amount of the civil wages.