§ Mr. MACKINDER(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary to the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the action of certain local authorities in Scotland in temporarily releasing their employés who have experience in ploughing, and whether he will urge upon all municipalities the importance of taking similar action without delay wherever possible?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. Hayes Fisher)The action taken by local authorities in Scotland has been reported in the Press. I hope that their example will be followed here, and that the further publicity given to the subject by my hon. Friend's question will influence local authorities in England and Wales to do all in their power in this and in other ways to help the national effort for the increased production of food.
§ Mr. DILLONWill the right hon. Gentleman obtain from some source an assurance that the War Office will not seize on these ploughmen the moment they begin to plough?
§ Mr. G. LAMBERTWill not the right hon. Gentleman direct the attention of the tribunals to the fact that it will be far better to keep the ploughmen that are here already at work than to bring them back?
§ Mr. HAYES FISHERThe answer to the question will, I trust, have that effect.