§ 23. Mr. BRUNNERasked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the case of Halton Lodge Farm, Runcorn; whether he is aware that William Lewis, 4, Grange Road, Runcorn, is the last man left on the farm with any skill; that there are only three discharged soldiers and two boys employed; that Lewis is called up for service; and that before the War thirty-six men and boys were employed; and what steps he proposes to take to gather the crops?
§ Mr. PROTHEROThe Department have no information as to this case. Inquiries are, however, being made, and the result will be communicated to the hon. Member.
§ 33. Mr. BRUNNERasked the Minister of National Service whether his attention has been called to the case of William Lewis, 4, Grange Road, Runcorn, agricultural labourer on Halton Lodge farm, Runcorn; whether he is aware that this man is the last left with any skill, and that he is called up for service; and whether he proposes to provide a skilled substitute?
§ Mr. BECKMy attention has not been called to the case in question. I may, however, inform the hon. Member that no man engaged in the agricultural industry can be called up for service unless made available by the agricultural executive committee. I presume that this procedure was followed in the case in question, but if the hon. Member informs me that this is not so, I will cause inquiries to be made into the circumstances of this enlistment.
§ Mr. BRUNNERIs the hon. Gentleman aware that there must be whole time employment in agriculture on certain dates; and if men come into agriculture after that date they cannot receive a certificate from the agricultural committee; and is it the practice of the National Service Department to take the last skilled man on any farm?
§ Mr. BECKI do not want to bother the House in view of previous discussion, but a certain number, 30,000, Grade 1 agriculturists were proposed to be released during the last emergency—all under thirty-one; beyond that we have touched no whole-time agriculturist.
§ Mr. BRUNNERDoes my hon. Friend propose on this particular farm to help to get in the hay crop?
§ Mr. BECKOh, well, I never really heard of this particular farm until I saw my hon. Friend's question.
§ Mr. G. LAMBERTAre there not hundreds of such cases?
§ Mr. BECKMy right hon. Friend must be aware—and I am as much interested in agriculture as he is—that if we had not released these young men older men must have been taken to fill their places.
§ Mr. PRINGLEIs it not the case that the extra calling-up is due to the failure of the Government to enforce Conscription in Ireland?