§ 51. Mr. G. Williamsasked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that in many districts there is great difficulty in obtaining labour gangs for threshing; that this is causing much delay and inconvenience 36 to farmers who need their grain for stock-feeding; and if he will take steps to improve the position.
§ Mr. G. BrownI am not aware of any widespread difficulty in obtaining labour for threshing. As root lifting progresses, more committee labour will become available for threshing.
§ Mr. WilliamsWill the Parliamentary Secretary consider suggesting to the county committees that they might furnish a list of the names of people suitable to fill these jobs?
§ Mr. BrownI do not think that question arises. I have made inquiries in Kent, for example, and I have found very little justification for the suggestion that there is any difficulty about this. There might be a delay of a day or so, but, with one exception, there have been no serious complaints in that county or elsewhere. It is mainly the responsibility of the farmers to get labour gangs for threshing. If the farmers ask for help, we certainly do our best to supply it.