§ 25. Lieut.-Colonel Liptonasked the Minister of Labour whether he will grant to agricultural workers the same deferment from National Service as is granted to merchant seamen.
§ Sir W. MoncktonThis is the position as regards agricultural workers born before 1933, and I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the figures I gave in my reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Louth (Mr. Osborne) on 7th July. The National Service position of agricultural workers born after 1932 was the subject of representations, recently made to me and my noble Friend the Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by a deputation from the two national farmers' unions; the representations are under consideration.
§ Lieut.-Colonel LiptonWould the right hon. and learned Gentleman come to an early decision on this matter in view of the fact that the number of workers in the agricultural industry has gone down by 49,000 in the last three years, that the position is becoming really critical, and that the need for increased agricultural production was never greater than at present?
§ Sir W. MoncktonI will certainly look into it. I have it in mind of course, but the hon. and gallant Gentleman will know that there are other interests in agriculture which have to be consulted which do not take exactly the same view.
§ Mr. H. HyndCan the right hon. and learned Gentleman say what is sacred about this date of 1932, and is he aware that these men are necessary on the farms while the farmers are away attending fairs, shows and markets?
§ Sir W. MoncktonThere is nothing sacred about the date. It was before the date that I had the honour of entering this House, but it is the date when the changes were introduced.