§ 57. Mr. Piratinasked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the demand for accommodation at the holiday harvest camp organised by the Communist Party at Great Euston, Leicestershire, with a crèche for young children, he will consider providing more holiday harvest camps with crèches in 1947.
§ Mr. T. WilliamsNo, Sir. In order to use the available facilities to the best advantage, it will again be necessary to confine accommodation at these camps to active volunteers.
§ Mr. PiratinIn view of the fact that there is only a limited number of people working in the fields and that this scheme gives scope to married couples to do so, why should not the Minister consider this revolutionary scheme?
§ Mr. WilliamsSimply because of the reason which I have stated in the reply. We need all the accommodation which we have for actual active workers. We cannot, therefore, provide facilities for children.
§ Mr. McGovernIs this Question an indication that the Communist Party, who have used the hammer for so long, are now to use the sickle?
§ Mr. PiratinIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the sickle can be as effective as the hammer; and may I ask him to recall that last year the response to his Department's appeal for workers in the fields was not very good, and will he, therefore, consider this proposal in view of the fact that there was available accommodation in the camps last year for additional workers?
§ Mr. WilliamsI do not accept that the number of volunteers was excessively small; rather I would say that the response was reasonably good, in the light of all the circumstances, and I think that the response in 1947 may be even better after the relaxation enjoyed.