§ 48. Mr. Hurdasked the Minister of Agriculture how many Servicemen accepted for vocational training in agriculture have been kept waiting for more than two months before being sent to a farm to start their training.
§ Mr. T. WilliamsA total of 166, or less than one in 20 of the number placed for 1st January to 18th November this year, waited for more than two months after interview by the selection panel of the county war agricultural executive committee. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and I make every effort to keep the overall waiting period between initial application and final placing as short as possible.
§ Mr. HurdIs there really any need for a waiting period of even two months, because, after all, farmers have expressed their willingness to take these met as soon as they have been approved? Why should there be any delay?
§ Mr. WilliamsIt is very largely a question of accommodation. I can inform the hon. Gentleman that 50 per cent of all the applicants were placed within 14 days and another 27 per cent. within one month.