§ 13. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Minister of Labour if he will make new inquiries in the South-West Scotland area into the complaints by farmers that the call-up of agricultural workers for National Service is likely to have an adverse effect on the Government's plans for increasing food production in that area.
§ Mr. WatkinsonNo, Sir. My information is that the position in the South-West area is no worse—and indeed, as regards the proportion of deferments granted is rather better—than for Scotland as a whole.
§ Mr. HughesIs the Minister aware that this is in direct contradiction with the views of the responsible farmers' organisation in the area, and in the recent annual review the agricultural correspondent of the "Scotsman" pointed out that this is having a serious effect on small farms with only one or two workers?
§ Mr. WatkinsonThe hon. Gentleman asked me the position in South-West Scotland, and perhaps he would like to know that for the period 1951 to December, 1952, which includes two complete age classes, the total call-up from Scotland as a whole was 1,406. We have tried to keep separate figures for the South-West, but we can only form an approximation, and the number is approximately 140 men only from that area.
§ 22. Mr. Fortasked the Minister of Labour if he will recommend hardship tribunals when they defer agricultural labourers from National Service to do so for a minimum period of 12 months.
§ Mr. WatkinsonI take it that my hon. Friend is not referring to the statutory Military Service (Hardship) Committees but to the National Service Deferment 1633 Boards which deal with applications for the deferment of call-up of agricultural workers on food production grounds. The boards are already instructed that the period of deferment should normally be 12 months for stockmen and in any other case where it seems unlikely that a change of circumstances will occur earlier. I think this adequately meets my hon. Friend's suggestion.