§ 26. Sir Patrick Hannonasked the Minister of Agriculture the number of undergraduates at the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge who have volunteered for work on farms during the forthcoming harvest; and whether he has made an appeal to undergraduates in the other Universities of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to give similar service in their respective districts?
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture (Mr. T. Williams)The authorities at all the principal Universities and University Colleges in England and Wales have been asked to assist 532 in enrolling students who are willing to work on farms during the summer vacation. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland has invited students of the Universities and other educational institutions in Scotland to volunteer and I am informed that a similar appeal has been made in Northern Ireland. The scheme was only made known to students last week and I am not yet able to say how many students at Cambridge have volunteered. At Oxford where recruiting has been going on for a longer period, the number of applications received is 168.
§ Sir P. HannonMay I ask whether arrangements have been made by the Ministry to keep in constant contact with Universities in order to encourage the organisation of labour in this way continuously through the coming harvest?
§ Mr. WilliamsYes, Sir.
§ Mr. Edmund HarveyHas the invitation also been extended to students at training colleges?
§ Mr. WilliamsYes, Sir.
§ Mr. George GriffithsIs this to apply to Members of Parliament during their holidays?