§ 52. Mr. G. TERRELLasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the altered War position and of the urgent necessity and importance of increasing the home 2681 production of food, he will give directions that all agricultural labourers and other agriculturists now serving in the Army should be forthwith returned to their civil occupations?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of NATIONAL SERVICE (Mr. Beck)My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply. I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave yesterday in reply to questions by the hon. Member for Westminster (Mr. Burdett-Coutts) and the hon. and gallant Member for Rotherhithe (Captain Carr-Gomm).
§ Mr. TERRELLIf the right hon. Gentleman is unable to make a clean-cut and grant complete release of agriculturists, can he at any rate make a clean-cut of all men who have been recruited in the last three months, which he must know are the hardest cases?
§ Mr. BECKThe answer I gave yesterday showed that machinery has been set up under the Ministry of Labour and is now in existence which will immediately deal with all these difficult problems.
§ Mr. TERRELLWhen will this machinery be put into operation—when shall we have a definite statement?