§ 50. Sir John Wardlaw-Milneasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that there are hundreds of acres of potatoes in the Midland area still to be gathered, together with a similar acreage of sugar-beet, that frost may result in heavy loss in the former case and, in the latter, that supplies to the factories have already fallen off; and whether he can make arrangements so that the labour shortage on farms, particularly in North Worcestershire, may be obviated by the supply of military or other help to prevent the waste which may otherwise occur?
Mr. HudsonMy information is that, in spite of the very large acreage of potatoes and sugar-beet this year and the fact that lifting was delayed owing to bad weather, good progress is now being made with the harvesting of these crops. As regards Worcestershire, several hundred troops were transferred into the county at my request to help with the work and I am informed that the position is now satisfactory.
§ Sir J. Wardlaw-MilneIs it the position that where the military authorities agree, soldiers are now being used to help in this way? Information given to Members for Worcestershire constituencies is that the instruction by the War Office is that soldiers are to be used only for the harvest. For some extraordinary reason that is held to mean the corn harvest, and as there 459 are other harvests than the corn harvest, the position appears to require clarification.
Mr. HudsonMost of that supplementary question should be addressed to the Secretary of State for War. All I know is that, at my request, he has transferred several hundred troops into the county to help with the potato and sugar-beet harvest.
§ Mr. HiggsWill the Minister use his influence to secure the temporary release of the more senior schoolchildren to help in this work?
§ Mr. ThorneIs it not also possible to employ men who are out of work?
§ Mr. ThorneCould not the Minister get them at the Employment Exchanges?
52. Mr. De la Bèreasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can make some statement as to the steps to be taken to assist the farmers to ensure that the beet harvest can be brought in?
Mr. HudsonThe local offices of the Ministry of Labour, as well as the county war agricultural executive committees, who have organised various supplementary labour schemes, will do their best to assist any farmer who is experiencing a shortage of labour for sugar-beet lifting. If other labour is not available, the farmer may approach the commanding officer of any local military unit and ask for the help of soldiers.
Mr. De la BèreDoes not the Minister realise that there is an acute shortage of labour in Worcestershire? Is he able to do anything about the 10,000 men who are to be called up on 1st December? He did not allude to the matter in his speech yesterday, yet it is exercising the minds of the whole farming community throughout the country.
Mr. HudsonAs I have already stated to my hon. Friend the Member for Kidderminster (Sir J. Wardlaw-Milne), we have the position in hand in Worcestershire.
Mr. De la BèreI am referring also to the situation throughout the country. It is not only the case that something should be done to remedy it, but something must be done.