86. Mr. CATHCART WASONasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture if he is aware that there is disquietude among farmers owing to a recent speech delivered by a great authority; if he can state whether farm servants who have attested, and who have been exempted by the tribunals, are still liable to be called up; and if he is aware that farmers are under the impression that if they now carry out the usual ploughing and sowing they may be left at harvest without the essential labour, and that they consider the position most unsatisfactory?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of AGRICULTURE (Mr. Acland)I am aware that there is disquietude among farmers as among other classes on the ground of the supply of labour. It is undoubtedly extremely difficult for them to carry out the two duties of sparing as many men as possible for the Army, and maintaining to the utmost possible extent the output from the land. And it is a difficult task for the 1696 Government to see that a proper balance is kept between the claims of these two national duties. As my hon. Friend knows farm servants who have attested, and been exempted by the tribunals, are not liable to be called up as long as their certificates of exemption remain in force. Certificates may be renewed, or reviewed on grounds which were widely published in notices issued on the 12th and 14th February. But while this is so, farmers undoubtedly ought not to refrain from the usual ploughing and sowing of the land, as the provision of adequate labour for harvest must and will be regarded as a primary necessity in the interests of the nation.
§ Mr. MORRELLIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that land is actually going out of cultivation owing to the ruthless way in which men are being called up?
§ Mr. ACLANDIt is extremely difficult to keep a proper balance between the necessity of getting men for the Army and keeping sufficient men on the land.