§ 9. Sir John Mellorasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can now make any statement regarding the organization and training of the Women's Land Army in peace-time?
§ 10. Sir Percy Hurdasked the Minister of Agriculture what arrangements are in progress to enrol and train women for land service?
§ The Minister of Agriculture (Colonel Sir Reginald Dorman-Smith)I have come to the conclusion that it is desirable to provide facilities for women enrolled in the Women's Land Army to receive training in peace-time where they are able and willing to do so and where suitable arrangements can be made; and I propose to appoint forthwith Women's Land Army committees in each county in England and Wales to assist with the local organisation. The facilities will include courses of training as tractor drivers, to be arranged by my Department, and other courses of training in particular classes of agricultural work, organised by the local agricultural education authorities in conjunction with the Women's Land Army county committees. These committees will also canvass farmers in their districts in order to obtain particulars of those who would be prepared to take women volunteers for training for short periods. The necessary arrangements are now being worked out, and women enrolled in the Women's Land Army will be communicated with as soon as possible after the local organisation has been set up. The arrangements proposed are in addition to those being carried on by the Women's Farm and Garden Association to which I referred in the Answer I gave to the hon. Member for Cheltenham (Mr. Lipson) on 24th April. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland authorises me to say that he has under consideration the provision of suitable arrangements for the training of members of the Women's Land Army in Scotland.
§ Sir J. MellorWhile thanking my right hon. Friend for his satisfactory reply, may I ask whether it is intended to supply any uniforms for members of the Women's Land Army, or whether it is intended to give some grant in respect of wear and tear of clothing, which of course may be very considerable?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithAs far as the courses for tractor driving are concerned, we shall have to supply some clothing for that, but as far as other matters are concerned, if they go to farms, they are under consideration, and we will see what we can do.
§ Sir P. HurdDoes my right hon. Friend anticipate that these training facilities will be available in the immediate future, since the holiday season which is approaching and the summer week-ends would give the best opportunities for this training to many of the women who desire to undertake it.
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithThey will be made available as quickly as possible.
§ Mr. ShinwellMay I ask from where the members of the Committees will be drawn? Will the right hon. Gentleman consult the agricultural unions?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithFor the Women's Land Army, they will be appointed in each county by me, and as far as possible, they will represent all the interests concerned.
§ Mr. ShinwellDoes not the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that, as the presence of a large number of women on the land is likely to be a matter of much concern to the agricultural unions, they ought to be consulted?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithThe women will only be trained.
Mr. MorganWill the national authority which is organising this Women's Land Army be the Ministry or a voluntary national committee?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithThere will be the voluntary National Committee to which I have referred before.
§ Mr. MacquistenIs it not the case that these arrangements are regarded as splendid, and that even the hon. Member for Evesham (Mr. De la Bère) considers them very satisfactory.