37. Mr. De la Bèreasked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in connection with the scheme for increased arable acreage, he will consider an opportunity of employing the services of the members of the Over Forty-Fives Association, Limited, and in addition will formulate some scheme of agricultural instruction for those applicants whose physique and qualifications seemed suitable?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithIt is open to any member of the Over Forty-Fives Association to volunteer for service on the land in the event of an emergency in response to the National Service Appeal which has been issued. The question of the provision of facilities for training volunteers for land work is under consideration.
Mr. De la BèreCan my right hon. and gallant Friend say what he is doing to encourage them? Does he remember what he said before he became Minister of Agriculture about putting a million men on the land? Is he aware that men are still leaving the land?