§ Colonel GRETTON(by Private Notice) asked the President of the Board of Agriculture if the Government will find the additional number of men required to cultivate the grass land scheduled by the County War Agricultural Executive Committees under instructions of the Board of Agriculture to be broken up, to produce corn for the harvest of 1918, and, if so, at what date these additional men will become available for work upon the land?
§ Mr. PROTHEROThe War Cabinet has decided that in principle the carrying out of the agricultural programme for 1918 is a matter of the greatest national importance. It has considered the various sources of labour available, and has authorised the provision of the labour necessary for the execution of the pro- 154 gramme, subject to what I have said in answer to the right hon. Gentleman the Member for South Molton Division.
§ Mr. G. LAMBERTIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that skilled agriculturists are at present being drafted from the land into the Army?
§ Mir. PROTHEROYes, I am aware of that.
Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTHas the right hon. Gentleman made any representations to the War Office in regard to it?
§ Mr. PROTHEROMany.