§ 10. Mr. GEORGE LAMBERTasked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will state what definite arrangements have been made for releasing agricultural labour from the Army that is urgently needed for the production of next year's crops?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONThere are at present over 79,000 men in agricultural companies, 3328 and 5,000 ploughmen who are in medical category "A" have just been sent out on two months' furlough. All men at home of any medical category, who are threshers are now being obtained from the Army. During the harvest 20,000 soldiers were supplied, of whom about 3,000 are still engaged on potato lifting. Any men of low medical category who are experienced farm workers, and are serving at home, are being attached to agricultural companies, and made available for agricultural work.
§ Mr. LAMBERTAssuming there are men of Grade "A" who are really essential for the cultivation of farms, what is the most expeditious method of getting them out of the Army?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI am afraid they must come under the demobilisation scheme.