§ 50. Mr. G. LAMBERTasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that very considerable areas of land cannot be cultivated this year owing to the backwardness of the season and the dearth of agricultural labour; whether, having regard to the necessity of maintaining the home-grown food supply, he will direct the military representatives to refrain from objecting to the exemption of essential and irreplaceable agricultural labour from military service?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo, Sir, I am not aware that considerable areas of land cannot be cultivated this year for the reason given in the first part of the question, though I am advised that it is probable that a good deal of land may not be cultivated as well this year as in a normal year for those reasons. In reply to the second part of the question, I can only repeat with emphasis that the Government hold that the maintenance of the highest possible output of home-grown food supplies remains a national object of a most essential nature, and that labour which is essential and irreplaceable should be retained on the land for this purpose. The military representatives and members of tribunals should be in possession of regulations and instructions which should ensure the carrying out of this policy.
§ Mr. MOLTENOWill the right hon. Gentleman see that an opportunity of learning this is given to the various tribunals throughout the country?
§ The PRIME MINISTERYes, that has been done.