HC Deb 26 June 1941 vol 372 cc1105-6
47. Mr. De la Bère

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of his announcement of the policy of additional man-power being made available for work on the land, he can now make some statement specifying the manner in which this is to be accomplished?

Mr. Hudson

My right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service has agreed to make available some 10,000 men for work under agricultural executive committees. About 3,000 Italian prisoners of war will also be arriving shortly in this country for similar work. The additional individual labour required by private fanners will have to be obtained mainly from the Women's Land Army; but in addition to the men that he is to make available for work with committees my right hon. Friend has agreed to endeavour to identify a certain number of men with previous agricultural experience now in other occupations whom it may prove possible to transfer to fill vacancies on individual farms.

Mr. De la Bère

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the shortage of skilled manpower on farms is more acute than ever, and will he do something to get into the heads of the War Office and the Ministry of Labour the necessity for skilled men not only not to be taken from, but to be returned to, the farms to secure the maximum output from the land?

49. Mr. Mander

asked the Minister of Agriculture, what appointments, during the last six months, the Staffordshire War Agricultural Committee have made to the office of labour manager; how many members he has recruited for the Staffordshire land corps; and what arrangements have been made to supply workers from this to farmers wanting assistance for hoeing the sugar-beet crop?

Mr. Hudson

The Staffordshire War Agricultural Executive Committee have made two appointments to the post of Labour Officer in the last six months, the first officer having recently resigned. I have no information as to the number of persons enrolled in volunteer land corps in the county, but I understand that active steps to recruit volunteers are now being taken.

Mr. Mander

Will my right hon. Friend be good enough to give the names of the officers?

Mr. Hudson

I will find out and let the hon. Member know; I do not know.

Mr. Mander

Is he not aware that there is a great deal of uncertainty in the county as to who really is responsible for providing the necessary labour, and that there is uncertainty as to who holds these appointments, and will he state specifically the names?

Mr. Hudson

I will find out.

Sir Joseph Lamb

Is it not a fact that any letter addressed to the committee would be transferred to the proper officer?

Mr. Hudson

It is.