HC Deb 24 June 1943 vol 390 cc1306-7
49. Dr. Russell Thomas

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether consideration has been given to making use of a day shortly on a nation-wide scale in order to draw attention to the need for encouraging voluntary assistance to help to gather in the harvest and as an appreciation of the efforts of all associated with the farming industry?

53. Sir Joseph Lamb

asked the Minister of Agriculture what are the objects he has in view in holding the proposed National Farm Sunday on 4th July, 1943?

Mr. Hudson

Yes, Sir. It is proposed that, with the approval of the Churches, Sunday, 4th July, shall be celebrated as Farm Sunday, and I have invited county war agricultural executive committees, in collaboration with local organisations of farmers, farm workers and other interests, to arrange public meetings on the afternoon of that day. The main purpose of Farm Sunday is to allow the men and women in agriculture to meet together on one day before tackling what will probably be the toughest harvesting job in our history. It will afford an opportunity for recognition of the efforts that have been made by the farming population during the war, and I hope will encourage them to continue and even improve on those efforts. It may also remind townsmen and countrymen that their help will be needed to get the harvest in.

I have been asked to address one of the meetings, and arrangements are being made, through the courtesy of the B.B.C., for my address to be relayed to other meetings throughout the country. Arrangements for the meetings will be left to local initiative, and although they will inevitably be affected by local circumstances, there has been a favourable response from most counties, and I have every reason to believe that the demonstrations will successfully achieve the objects for which they are designed.

Sir Stanley Reed

Has my right hon. Friend taken account of the fact that the hour fixed for his own broadcast is such a one that no farmer or farmworker will be able to listen in to it?

Mr. Hudson

My hon. Friend may rest assured that the date and the time were very carefully considered, having regard to a number of other circumstances, and I am afraid I cannot agree with him that farmers will not be able to attend because, on the contrary, most counties are arranging special demonstrations.

Mr. Thorne

Is it not a fact that many of us are expected to go to church on that Sunday to pray for the farmers?

Sir J. Lamb

Will full recognition be made to the Almighty for the benevolent part that He has played in this?

Mr. Shinwell

Will any reference be made in the speeches and sermons to the subject of agricultural cottages?