HC Deb 12 August 1919 vol 119 cc1077-8
23. Major Sir KEITH FRASER

asked the Secretary of State for War, in view of the fact that the Leicestershire Agriculture Executive Committee view with alarm the serious shortage of labour for the hay and corn harvest whereby the successful gathering of the crops is endangered, whether he will consider the question of granting adequate periods of harvest furlough to agriculturists now with the Colours?

Captain GUEST

As I stated on Wednesday last, the question of granting leave for the purpose of collecting the harvest is under consideration. All Commands at home have been notified that paragraph 59 of the King's Regulations may be observed, and that soldiers may be employed in harvest work provided their employment is in the locality in which they are stationed and that their duties are not thereby interfered with.

Mr. LAMBERT

Will the right hon. Gentleman impress on the War Office the necessity of at once coming to a decision, as the harvest is now going on?

Captain GUEST

Orders have already gone out, drawing the attention of Army Commanders to the fact that soldiers may be employed on harvesting operations in their areas,