§ 23. Mr. HASLAMasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether officers commanding troops at home have been requested to ascertain the men in their battalions who have been accustomed to agricultural work, with the view of providing suitable labour in the districts where the troops are being trained; whether he continues to receive complaints that farmers have been supplied with men unaccustomed to agricultural work; and whether adequate means have been taken to prevent unsuitable men being provided in future?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONReturns are in the possession of the War Office showing the men from Home Service units who were engaged in agriculture prior to enlistment, and these men are being used for substitution in agriculture. No complaints have been received recently from farmers as to the unsuitability of men sent to them.