HC Deb 20 October 1942 vol 383 c1830
62. Mr. David Adams

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of children of school age who were employed upon agricultural work in the years 1940 and 1941, respectively, together with the number for these years from the universities, secondary and private high schools?

Mr. Hudson

I regret that the information desired by the hon. Member is not available.

Mr. Adams

The information must be of considerable public interest. Surely we can have it in due course. Will the Minister obtain it?

Mr. Hudson

The difficulty is that a very large number of the children concerned do a great deal of work on the farms by private arrangement with the farmers, and we have no record at all.

Mr. Adams

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the first part of the Question?

Mr. Hudson

No, there is no record of that either.