§ 30. Mr. RAFFANasked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether applications for substitutes for agricultural labourers who have been called to the Colours are refused to Lancashire 1833 farmers unless a Class A man is released for the Army in return for every substitute provided; whether he is aware that some of the farms are entirely denuded of labour and others are working with the barest minimum, so that this condition is incapable of fulfilment; whether the agricultural survey has shown that there is a large area of land in Lancashire capable of fuller cultivation if labour is released for the purpose; and if so, whether, in order to facilitate food production, he will take steps to ensure that substitutes will be provided for men who have been already called up as well as for any who may be called up in the future?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of AGRICULTURE (Sir Richard Winfrey)The substitution scheme referred to in the first part of the question is no longer in operation. The report of the agricultural survey in Lancashire has not yet been received, but there is no doubt that the shortage of labour in the country is a serious obstacle to food production. As far as our present information goes, about one-half of the farms in Lancashire are staffed up to the level of the Bath Agreement and about one-half fall below it. On the general question of the shortage of labour, the War Office propose to set aside some 15,000 men for agricultural work, who will be formed into agricultural companies and distributed throughout the country. In addition, 15,000 men will be temporarily released from the Home Defence Army for the spring cultivations.
§ Mr. RAFFANMay I take it that the half of the farmers in Lancashire who are understaffed will have men placed at their disposals?
§ Sir R. WINFREYYes, that is so.
§ Mr. DILLONMay I ask whether the War Office are going to call up any more of the 30,000 men they had decided to call up?
§ Sir R. WINFREYI am afraid I cannot reply to that without notice.
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELCan the hon. Gentleman say whether these men will be men who have been skilled in agriculture—the men to be released by the War Office?
§ Sir R. WINFREYSome of those 15,000 men who are to be temporarily released are men who are skilled in agriculture.
§ Mr. SAMUELSome of them.
§ Sir R. WINFREYSome of them.
§ 31. Mr. KINGasked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether the minimum wage of 25s. for agricultural labour will in all cases be given in cash and subject to no deduction for rent of cottage or on any other account?
§ Sir R. WINFREYThe guaranteed minimum of 25s. is not necessarily a cash payment, as it is inclusive of allowances.
§ Mr. RENDALLCan the hon. Gentleman say at what date this minimum wage will come into force, and whether it covers the whole country?
§ Sir R. WINFREYLegislation will be introduced very shortly.
§ Major HUNTMay I ask what is included in allowances?
§ Sir R. WINFREYA mode of adjusting those allowances is now under the consideration of the Board.
§ Mr. RAFFANIs it permissible under this proposal for farmers to increase a nominal rent of 1s., say, to 6s., thus making the real minimum wage 20s., instead of 25s.?
§ Sir R. WINFREYThat would not be allowed.
§ 46. Mr. RAFFANasked the Prime Minister whether it is proposed to confer powers upon the President of the Board of Agriculture similar to those granted to the Minister of Munitions to say that certain men are indispensable; and, if not, whether it is proposed to take any action to enable skilled men to be retained upon farms where they are absolutely indispensable if the work of the farm is to be carried on?
§ Sir R. WINFREYMy right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. It is not proposed to confer such powers on the President of the Board, and it will remain the duty of the tribunals to decide whether, in any particular cases, further skilled men should be released for the Army. In exercising that duty, the tribunals will undoubtedly bear in mind that all essential agricultural labour should be retained in order to maintain or achieve the highest possible production of home-grown food.
§ Mr. RAFFANIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the President of the Board of Agriculture has himself stated that it 1835 is extremely desirable that this power should be granted to him?
§ Sir R. WINFREYOh, yes; I know that.
§ Mr. PRINGLEWill he see that the Board of Agriculture is represented before these tribunals as well as the War Office?
§ Sir R. WINFREYThe Board of Agriculture is represented.
§ Mr. PRINGLENot always.