HC Deb 01 March 1945 vol 408 cc1556-7
50. Mr. Henderson Stewart

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is now able to make a statement about the future employment and the payment of gratuities, allowances and other resettlement grants to the W.L.A.

52. Miss Ward

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can now make a statement on demobilisation benefits for the W.L.A.

57. Sir Henry Morris-Jones

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has any statement to make in regard to gratuities and recompense to the W.L.A. after the war.

Mr. T. Williams

My right hon. Friend regrets that he cannot yet make any further statement on these matters.

Mr. Stewart

In view of the wide public interest taken in the matter, could the right hon. Gentleman indicate when he will be able to make a statement?

Mr. Williams

I hope a statement may be made reasonably shortly, but I cannot go beyond my right hon. Friend's statement that the matter is under active and sympathetic consideration.

Mr. Stephen

Will my right hon. Friend give an assurance that the treatment of the Women's Land Army will be no less generous than that of the other Services?

Mr. De la Bère

The delay is most unsatisfactory.

55. Mr. Driberg

asked the Minister of Agriculture, approximately, how many new recruits to the W.L.A. will be needed, in the near future, if food production this year is to be maintained at the required level; and, in view of the disappointment caused in this service by recent Government statements, what special steps are being taken by his Ministry to encourage recruiting.

Mr. Williams

It is not at present possible to estimate what numbers of new recruits will be needed for the Women's Land Army this year, but it is certain that a considerable intake will be necessary. My right hon. Friend is considering, in collaboration with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour, what action can best be taken to that end.

Mr. Driberg

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the best way of ensuring that the intake is satisfactory is to expedite the consideration to which he referred just now, and to make it really sympathetic as well as active?

Mr. Granville

Does the right hon. Gentleman think that the resignation of Lady Denman is an encouragement to recruiting, and is he aware that several county directors will follow suit unless he makes an immediate statement about gratuities?

Mr. De la Bère

Why not make the conditions better?