§ 14. Mr. Niall Macphersonasked the Minister of Labour whether the decision to call up agricultural workers is restricted to those becoming liable to National Service from now on or applies to all those whose call-up has been postponed, subject to their remaining in their present occupation, and have not yet attained the age of 26 years.
Mr. LeeThe decision applies to those who were required to register for National Service on 3rd February last and subsequently—that is to say, to young men born on or after 1st January, 1933.
§ Mr. MacphersonCan the hon. Gentleman say how many young men are liable to call-up compared with the 15,000 whom it is proposed to call up?
§ Mr. TurtonCan the Minister explain what procedure agricultural employers should take where the call-up of young men will result in serious losses of agricultural production?
Mr. LeeThere is time to give that information. This scheme will not operate until 1st November, as the hon. Gentleman knows.
Mr. McCurquodaleWill the hon. Gentleman arrange for a general statement to be made as soon as possible upon the liability of agricultural workers in general to military service, as there is considerable confusion about Territorials and so on?
§ Mr. Emrys HughesCan my hon. Friend say to what extent the National Farmers' Union and the Scottish Farm Servants' Union were consulted before this decision was made?