HC Deb 04 June 1918 vol 106 cc1386-7
23. Major LANE-FOX

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he will give a definite assurance that the few skilled men employed in the sowing of tree seeds and the preparation of seedlings by nurserymen and estates shall be exempted, in view of the possible scarcity of seedlings for replanting after the War, and in conformity with his promise of rendering every possible help to forestry?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of AGRICULTURE (Sir R. Winfrey)

Under instructions already in the possession of agricultural executive committees, provision is made for the pro- tection at present from military service of men occupied in the forest-tree nursery industry as seed experts. These committees will now have authority to issue vouchers to such men as they regard as essential, and they will be exempted.