§ 49. Brigadier Mackesonasked the Minister of Agriculture how many soldiers and voluntary labourers were employed in Romney Marsh during the harvests in 1944, 1945 and 1946; and what steps he has taken to ensure that in this fertile and sparsely populated area there will be sufficient labour for the harvest this year.
§ The Minister of Agriculture (Mr. Thomas Williams)It is estimated that the numbers of troops and organised volunteers so employed in 1944 was nearly 1,000; in 1945, about 900; and, in 1946, about 250. This year supplementary labour will be available for the Marsh, if needed, from seven prisoner-of-war camps and hostels, two volunteer agricultural camps, two schoolboy camps and a committee hostel.