HC Deb 25 February 1946 vol 419 cc1565-6
68. Mr. Hurd

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many rural craftsmen, such as blacksmiths, saddlers and thatchers, have been released from the Services on the recommendation of the Berkshire W.A.E.C; and how many applications have been refused.

Mr. T. Williams

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 19th February to the hon. and gallant Member for Windsor (Major Mott-Radclyffe), of which I am sending him a copy.

Mr. Hurd

Cannot the Minister add something to his answer, which was that one rural craftsman has been released for the whole of the county of Berkshire, and is not that making a mockery of the Class B release scheme?

Mr. T. Williams

The reply referred to is: Five applications for the release of rural craftsmen under the Class B individual specialist arrangements have been received by the Berkshire War Agricultural Executive Committee In one case, release has been effected and the remaining four cases have been rejected. In addition, five applications: for the release of rural craftsmen in Berkshire under the Class B block release arrangements are at present under consideration. My hon. Friend will remember that in order to secure release as a specialist one must pass a very severe test owing to the limited numbers.

Mr. Godfrey Nicholson

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman stand up for his Department better than that?