§ 72. Mr. PRINGLEasked the Undersecretary of State for War whether Captain F. D. C. Shaw-Kennedy, of Kirkmichael, is employed on military duties at Ayr; if so, what is the nature of his employment; whether he is aware that Captain Shaw-Kennedy is occupier and proprietor of the farm at Aitkenhead, which consists of 70 acres; that in an action in the Ayr Sheriff Court on 19th June it was admitted that in addition to three civilians, two soldiers, Driver J. W. Potts and Private Monaghan, were employed on this farm last winter; and whether he can explain for what reasons, and by whose authority, the services of these soldiers were granted for the cultivation of this farm?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONCaptain Shaw-Kennedy is the officer commanding a Territorial Force depot at Ayr. I understand that he is the owner and occupier of Aitkenhead Farm. I am not aware of the action in the Sheriff's Court, but I am informed that two soldiers were employed on the farm during last winter, and are still working there. As regards the last part of the question, I would remind my hon. Friend that soldier agricultural labour is placed out on farms by the local agricultural committees.
§ Mr. PRINGLECan my right hon. Friend state what justification there is for giving two soldiers to a farm of 70 acres, where there are already three civilians employed?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONIn the last part of the answer to the question it is stated that the giving of soldier labour to any particular farm is at the discretion of the local agricultural committees.
§ Mr. PRINGLEIs there anybody responsible for the action of those committees here?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONIn this particular case it is the Secretary for Scotland.
§ Mr. WATTCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether any influence was exercised by Captain Shaw-Kennedy on the local committees to get these men on to this 70-acre farm?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI have no knowledge of that.