HC Deb 21 June 1917 vol 94 cc1941-2
79. Mr. DENMAN

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of National Service whether the Ministry will be in a position to supply 100,000 men for agricultural work by August; and whether in this or in other directions the labour obtained has proved adequate to the demand?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of NATIONAL SERVICE (Mr. Walsh)

The National Service Department have not been requested to supply 100,000 men for agricultural work by August, but the Department has made adequate arrangements to meet the demands for labour made by the Board of Agriculture for this year's hay and corn harvests. Full particulars of these arrangements were given in my reply to the hon. and gallant Member for the Ludlow Division on the 14th instant.

Major HUNT

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether the Government is going to supply the men with any beer?

Colonel WEIGALL

Can the hon. Gentleman say how many agricultural labourers can be supplied for the corn harvest?

Mr. WALSH

No; it is impossible for the moment to say how many can be supplied, but we are quite convinced, having made arrangements with the Board of Agriculture, the military authorities, and various local public bodies, that there will be an adequate amount of labour available for the harvest.

Sir JOHN SPEAR

May I ask the hon. Gentleman if, in selecting these men to assist in agricultural work they will, as far as possible, select men who have some-knowledge of the work?

Mr. WALSH

I do not know how that arises out of this question, but there are the county agricultural committees, and there are skilled bodies dealing with this question, who have a full knowledge of the kind of men required, and we must trust to the common sense of the parties, interested.

Mr. DENMAN

Can the hon. Gentleman state what proportion of this supply of labour is to be drawn from military sources?

Mr. WALSH

There are already about 20,000 soldiers, in addition to the agricultural companies already engaged. About 17,000 other men will be granted by the-Army.

Colonel WEIGALL

Is the whole of this supply coming through the Ministry of Labour or the War Office, or through both?

Mr. WALSH

It is coming through the National Service in conjunction with the Board of Agriculture.

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