§ 62. Mr. Watkinsasked the Minister of Agriculture how many recommendations for release under Class B he has received from the counties of Brecon and Radnor; and how many have actually been allowed
§ Mr. T. WilliamsSince June, 1945, my Department has received from the agricultural executive committees for the counties of Brecon and Radnor three and eight recommendations respectively for the release under the Class B arrangements of former agriculturists, or of workers in industries ancillary to agriculture. Two of the Brecon cases were supported and release has been approved; the remaining nine cases could not be 29 supported by my Department as they did not comply with the conditions governing the release of individual specialists.
§ 68. Viscount Hinchingbrookeasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that war agricultural executive committees are refusing endorsements to applications for compassionate release from the Services except in exceptional circumstances; and whether he will consult with the Service Ministers with a view to securing more lenient administration of Class C releases.
§ Mr. T. WilliamsCompassionate release is a matter entirely within the discretion of the Service Departments concerned. Committees are prepared, if so requested, by the appropriate military authority, to supply them with a factual statement of the position on the holding.
§ Viscount HinchingbrookeIs the Minister aware that a farmer has to be quite seriously ill before the farmer's son is allowed to return from the Service to the farm? Can he hot consult with the Service Ministries to see whether some more lenient administration cannot be adopted in these matters?
§ Mr. WilliamsIt is a matter entirely for the Service Departments themselves. I understand that they make a local inquiry when any case on compassionate grounds is brought to their notice. The war executive committees would, in cases where the Service Departments invite them to do so, send a purely factual statement of conditions.