§ 43. Mr. Harveyasked the Home Secretary whether he will take steps to provide suitable footwear and other clothes for those British subjects detained under Regulation 18B in the Isle of Man who have volunteered for farm work on the island; and whether at the conclusion of the harvest farmers who are willing to employ two such workers, but unwilling to take a larger number, will tie allowed to do so?
§ Mr. PeakeInstructions were given some time ago that suitable protective clothing and footwear should be issued to persons engaged on work schemes, and I am not aware that there has been any deviation from this instruction. The question whether more men could be employed on farm work if parties of less than three were allowed to be employed at any one farm has been carefully considered, but the inquiries which have been made indicate that this would not lead to any substantial increase in the number of men so employed, and, in view of the difficulty of supplying escorts, the conclusion has been reached that this change would not be justifiable.
§ Mr. HarveyIs my hon. Friend aware that the men were supplied with clogs, which are not suitable for ploughing? Will he see that they have boots for ploughing?