HC Deb 17 December 1942 vol 385 cc2061-2
51. Mr. De la Bère

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether as it is the Government's intention to get 1,000,000 more acres of land ploughed for the coming harvest, which must be a net increase of tillage acreage, he can now make a statement showing where the labour is to come from to achieve this, in view of the acute labour shortage on farms throughout the country?

Mr. Hudson

Most of the additional regular labour required on farms will have to consist of women, and farmers needing further help should apply to their Executive Committee or to the Women's Land Army well in advance. I hope to have some additional prisoners of war available by harvest time and also an increase in the strength of war agricultural executive committees' gangs. As regards seasonal labour, it is intended to extend and develop still further the various schemes that have been in operation this year. I am aware that the labour problem created by the new ploughing-up programme will be a difficult one, but I can assure my hon. Friend that the Government will do everything in their power to provide the labour required so that the additional acreage can be properly cultivated and the crops harvested.

Mr. De la Bère

Does the right hon. Gentleman fully realise the position, with inadequate labour to deal with the land already ploughed up? If you put an additional 1,000,000 acres on top, the position will be well nigh impossible, given the best will in the world?

Mr. Hudson

If I had thought that was the case, I obviously should not have asked for additional ploughing-up.

53. Mr. De la Bère

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can make a statement regarding the potential call-up of a further 10,000 men from the farms; and whether he can announce the result of his conference with the Minister of Labour on this matter?

Mr. Hudson

There is no present intention of releasing for military service any specified number of workers now employed in agriculture. Only those young men who are not identified as "key" workers on their farms will be released.

Mr. De la Bère

I hope the right hon. Gentleman will always bear in mind my earnest desire to assist him in every possible way.