§ 90. Mr. PRATTasked the Secretary for Scotland whether he has received representations from the Scottish Chamber of Agriculture and affiliated societies' that any requirements of the military authorities in the matter of men to be drawn from the ranks of those working on the land should, in the interests of food production, only be enforced at the recognised term, and that none be called up between terms; and whether he proposes to take any action?
§ The SECRETARY for SCOTLAND (Mr. Tennant)I have received through the Board of Agriculture for Scotland a representation to this effect, I would remind my hon. Friend that from the point of view of training there are great difficulties in accepting a proposal of this kind, and I am assured that hitherto farm workers have not been taken off the land at unduly short notice. The whole position, however, is under review, and it is proposed to take a census of agricultural labour.
§ 91. Mr. PRATTasked the Secretary for Scotland whether the Board of Agriculture for Scotland has held a conference of persons interested in the question of food production to consider the recent Memorandum regarding the calling up of men by the War Office; whether any agreement was reached as to the best manner of dealing with this problem in the national interest; and whether it is proposed to take any action?
§ Mr. TENNANTA conference convened by the Board of Agriculture for Scotland was held last week, and certain resolutions were adopted. The Government will give careful consideration to these suggestions.