HC Deb 15 May 1941 vol 371 c1257
50. Mr. R. J. Taylor

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has any information of the number of persons, without agricultural knowledge, who have bought farms during the past two years; and to what extent this has been done to avoid military service?

Mr. Hudson

I have no information on the subject.

Mr. Taylor

Does not the Minister think, in view of the need for efficient farming, and having regard to the fact that the whole country is covered by war agricultural committees, that we ought to have this information?

Mr. Hudson

It would involve a great deal of research and additional work on the part of the agricultural committees, and I doubt very much whether the information, if obtained, would be worth it. A certain amount, however, will be obtained in the course of this summer when men are called up and their cases are reviewed by the agricultural committees.

Mr. Taylor

Is the Minister aware that if this position exists, we shall lose the whole summer before we find whether there is inefficient farming?

Mr. Hudson

It does not follow that they are inefficient farmers. The war agricultural committees already have that aspect of the matter under their care.