Women's Land Army

HC Deb 11 February 1946 vol 419 cc33-4

67. Mr. Garry Allighan

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will make the conditions of service in the W.L.A. more attractive in order to stop an exodus of female workers from the land at a time when the nation's food production requires stimulation.

Mr. T. Williams

Women's Land Army members already enjoy certain appreciable advantages over other women land workers, and I am afraid I cannot hold out hope of further relative improvements in their conditions of service.

Mr. Allighan

Is the Minister aware that the authorities of the Women's Land Army have announced that over 10,000 girls will be leaving the Service between now and the Spring sowing? Has he any proposals to make?

Mr. Williams

I can only hope that the 10,000 referred to will not necessarily leave the land, since even though they have the right to leave, should they wish, between now and the end of March, I hope many of them will prefer to remain on the land for at least another year.