§ 35. Mr. W. YOUNGasked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction existing in the counties of Fife, Forfar, and Perth arising out of the system of decertification of farm servants for military service; whether the representative of the Board of Agriculture for Scotland promised the chairman of the Forfarshire Agricultural Committee that married ploughmen would not be called up; whether, in fact, married ploughmen who have entered into engagements for the coming six months are being called up; and will he take steps to suspend the call-up notices which have been sent to married men and to return to civil life any who have been taken into the Army in breach of the promise given?
§ The SECRETARY for SCOTLAND (Mr. Munro)The Board of Agriculture for Scotland have received representations from agriculturists in the counties named, as well as from other areas in Scotland, that an excessive number of agricultural workers are being called to military service. I am not aware that any undertaking was given to the effect suggested. The Ministry of National Service undertook to arrange when possible for married men occupying cottages on farms to be retained in agricultural employment provided that the quota of men could otherwise be obtained for the Army. This undertaking has been observed so far as is compatible with the necessities of the case; but a few such men have had to be called, in order to make up the number required.
§ Mr. PRINGLECan the right hon. Gentleman not say that these men would not have been called up had Conscription been applied to Ireland?
§ 36. Mr. WATTasked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that farmers in Perthshire who are of Grade 2 are being conscripted although working singly on farms raising food for the people, and are being sent by the Army to work on other farms as helpers, so that while the farms of these men are being neglected they themselves are extra men on other farms which could be worked without their assistance; and will he say what action his Department is taking, if any, to counteract this line of action?
§ Mr. MUNROI am not aware of any such practice as is stated in the first part of my hon. and learned Friend's question. If he will give me particulars of individual cases they will be investigated.