3. Mr. De la Bèreasked the Minister of Labour whether he will ensure that workers who have been permanently employed on market gardening for three years or more prior to the outbreak of war, are not called up for service until every source of supply from non-essential industries has been exhausted, in view of the fact that the majority of these men are engaged in maintaining the supply of vegetables for the large cities throughout the country?
§ Mr. AsshetonIn connection with the revision of the Schedule of Reserved Occupations which is proceeding, my right hon. Friend has been in close consultation with his right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, with a view to affording agricultural and horticultural occupations the greatest measure of reservation which can be allowed in the light of the general man-power position.
Mr. De la BèreIs the hon. Gentleman aware that Evesham feeds large cities in the North as well as in Scotland and that 607 the Vale of Evesham cannot continue to do this if its labour is to be taken away from it? It is work of vital national importance.
§ Mr. AsshetonMy right hon. Friend is fully aware of the vital importance of this subject.