§ 39. Sir I. Fraserasked the Minister of Labour whether he will make a statement on future policy for the deferment from National Service of farm workers.
§ 68. Mr. Collinsasked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the difficulties occasioned to agriculture by the continued drift of farm workers from the land, he will continue the deferment of call-up of farm workers beyond the period of the harvest.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour and National Service (Mr. Harold Watkinson)I would refer to the replies my right hon. and learned Friend gave to Questions by the hon. and gallant Member for Brixton (Lieut.-Colonel Lipton) on 14th July.
§ Sir I. FraserWill the Government keep under continuous consideration the question whether agricultural workers could not do their National Service, in the public interest, in their own interest and in the interest of farming, in some manner which would keep them near to their farm work, especially having regard to the great change which is taking place in military and strategic considerations?
§ Mr. WatkinsonMy hon. Friend was kind enough to write to the Minister about this, and I know that he is very carefully bearing that point in mind.
§ Mr. CollinsIs the Minister aware that there will be no opportunity for us again to press him on this subject until after the harvest? Could he not therefore be somewhat more positive in his answers to this very important question?
§ Mr. WatkinsonI am sure the hon. Gentleman knows about the harvest suspension which has already been announced in the House. This matter was the subject of representations by the National Farmers' Union and is now under consideration.
Mr. VaneWill my hon. Friend not overlook the suggestion that, even if he cannot relieve the existing 6,500 farm workers who are called up of their full-time National Service, he will see if it is not possible to relieve them of their fortnight's training in the following three years? This affects their agricultural duties considerably and is out of all proportion to the military benefit.
§ Mr. WatkinsonThat is a different point, but I will bear it in mind.
§ Lieut.-Colonel LiptonCan the Parliamentary Secretary say what is holding up these negotiations to which the Minister referred in his answer to my Question of 14th July? Why are these negotiations with the National Farmers' Union taking so long? Is the National Farmers' Union opposed to the exemption of farm workers?
§ Mr. WatkinsonThere are a great many different views to take into account —for example, the views of the National Union of Agricultural Workers.