HC Deb 14 June 1955 vol 542 cc395-6
7. Mr. Spence

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will consider making arrangements to give a longer notice of call-up to report for duty in the Armed Forces in the case of farm workers, especially those in specialised branches such as dairy cattlemen, in view of the difficulty of finding replacements.

Mr. Watkinson

No, Sir. I am satisfied that the present arrangements are working satisfactorily.

Mr. Spence

Is the Minister aware that it is customary for men in this position to be given a short holiday of perhaps a week before call-up? Will he bear this in mind?

Mr. Watkinson

I certainly will, but of course they normally get not less than six to eight weeks' notice, and if there is a harvest they are deferred very much longer.

Mr. Emrys Hughes

Is the Minister aware that his satisfaction is not shared by the farm workers or the farmers, who realise that it is far more important that these men should be producing more food from British land than wasting their time in Cyprus, British Guiana and other places? [HON. MEMBERS: "No."] Oh, yes. Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this is the considered opinion of the National Farmers' Union in Scotland? Is it not time that the Government realised that this step to abolish the call-up would be welcomed by agricultural people?

Mr. Watkinson

I have never heard that the farming industry wanted to do other than play its fair share in what is a national duty.