35. Captain BATHURSTasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture if he is aware that in the Midlands and in the South of England there is a tendency on the part of dairy farmers to dispose of their herds of milch cattle owing to the existing or anticipated shortage of milkers or owing to their reduced allowance of petrol for running a milking machine; and what steps the Board is taking in this matter in order to avoid a scarcity of milk during next winter?
§ Mr. ACLANDThe Board are aware of a tendency to dispose or to threaten to dispose of dairy herds for fear of shortage of labour, and some instances have 2665 occurred, but not at present to such a degree as to justify fears of a severe shortage of milk during next winter. The Board will continue to endeavour to help dairymen to retain their indispensable workers. Farmers should do their very best to obtain and train women for milking work, for I think it will pay them to maintain their milking herds, and it is certainly right to do so in the interest of the country.