§ 49. Miss Wilkinsonasked the Minister of Agriculture whether, before the Women's Land Army was launched, the local and regional committees of the Farmers' Union and the Agricultural Workers' Union were consulted; how many women have been recruited; and for how many have jobs been found?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithThe Women's Land Army was launched as part of the National Service appeal in regard to which both organised employers and organised labour agreed to co-operate and to be represented on central and local National Service committees. In June this year recruitment for the proposed Women's Land Army was entrusted to special committees in each county. These committees were instructed to co-operate with the local branches of the National Farmers' Union and with the local representatives of the agricultural workers' unions and I understand that they have done their best to act accordingly. Some 25,000 women have now been enrolled in the Women's Army for service as and when required, and about 2,000 have 824 been placed in agricultural employment in the two and a half months since the outbreak of war.
§ Miss WilkinsonDoes not the Minister consider that the scheme was precipitate and put into operation without fully finding out whether there was any need for these women to be taken from their ordinary avocations and then to be left, as many of them are without jobs to go to and without prospects?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithI still think that these women will be wanted in this country. I am almost convinced of that. The hon. Lady must realise, also, that this is the lowest time for agricultural employment during the year. I sincerely hope that the women will not be over-discouraged by the fact that they have not been absorbed more quickly.
§ Miss WilkinsonThis is not merely a question of having people hanging about who may be wanted at some time. These girls have been asked to give up their jobs and undertake training. Now there are no jobs whatever for them; and yet the Minister says: "Do not be discouraged."
§ 53. Mr. Lipsonasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will publish a list of organising secretaries for the Women's Land Army, with the salaries they are receiving and the staffs they employ?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithI am sending the hon. Member a list of the organising secretaries of Women's Land Army county committees. This has already been published in the agricultural Press for the assistance of Women's Land Army volunteers and of farmers. Salaries paid to organising secretaries range from £100 to £250 per annum, according to the volume of work involved, the maximum of £250 per annum representing payment for whole-time services. One paid shorthand typist is also employed in most counties and, in a few of the large counties, either one or two paid shorthand typists.
§ Mr. John MorganHas the recruitment for this Women's Land Army ceased, and have instructions gone out?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithYes, Sir; that has been done.
§ Mr. StephenIs the Minister aware that this is most unsatisfactory?
§ 54. Mr. Lipsonasked the Minister of Agriculture how many women have been enrolled in the Women's Land Army; how many have been trained; and how many at present are employed by farmers?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithAbout 25,000 women have now been enrolled in the Women's Land Army. Some 2,600 have been trained since the outbreak of war, and about 2,000 are at present employed by farmers.
§ Mr. LipsonWould my right hon. Friend make inquiries whether the county committees who are organising the Land Army are sufficiently representative and well-informed in matters of agriculture, for the purpose for which they were formed, and of he finds that that is not so, will he see that they are strengthened in that direction?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithI am inquiring into the matter.
Viscountess AstorConsidering how many of these women volunteered and how many have got jobs, could not my right hon. Friend release some of them and allow them to go back to the jobs which they left, and not leave them with 15s. a week?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithI have no power to keep them.