§ 55. Mr. HARRY HOPEasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the depletion of agricultural labour and the consequent risk that the corn and potato crops may not be fully and safely secured and that much of the recently ploughed-up grass lands may have to be abandoned, he will take steps to appoint two advisory committees, one for England and one for Scotland, composed of practical agriculturists and nominated by the responsible and representative agricultural organisations of each country, so that, by the close collaboration of farmers' representatives and the respective Boards of Agriculture, the available sources and forms of extra or substituted agricultural labour may be made use of in the best practical manner, and that greater confidence be given to farmers that the best possible tentative steps are being taken to meet the present emergency?
§ Mr. PRATT (Lord of the Treasury)The President has already an advisory committee of practical agriculturists, and with their help and advice, and that of the county agricultural executive committees, he has no doubt that all possible arrangements can be made for the fullest utilisation of all forms of labour available. In these circumstances the appointment of another committee does not seem necessary.