HC Deb 07 December 1960 vol 631 cc1251-2
21. Mr. Dodds

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the number of soldiers who have been employed in potato picking since 1st October; what rate of pay is received for their services from the farmers; and how much of this money is paid to each national service man so engaged.

Mr. Profumo

The numbers have varied, but the most employed on one day was 970. The rate of pay received from farmers is 2s. 7d. an hour up to eight hours, and 3s. 7d. thereafter. No extra payments beyond normal pay and allowances are made to soldiers who do this work on duty.

Mr. Dodds

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that, particularly with National Service men whose rates of pay are so low, at least some of the money should have been paid to the men for their very dirty job among all the mud? Does he think that this attitude of mind will encourage men to join the Army? Could not some of the money be given to local flood funds to try to establish better public relations between the War Office and the public?

Mr. Profumo

I am grateful to the hon. Member for his desire that we should get better public relations, and I accept that. I think it is right, however, that the Army should be at the service of the community, not only from the point of view of public relations, but because the Army is a public service. It does not grudge its help in time of emergency; but the principles governing the use of troops are generally accepted and have been accepted for a very long time, and I think that they work well.

Mr. Strachey

Will not the right hon. Gentleman consider the suggestion that the difference between the money raised and the money paid to the men should go to the unit's welfare fund, or something of that sort, so that the men can at any rate feel that their efforts are being properly recognised financially?

Mr. Profumo

I will consider anything the right hon. Gentleman or any hon. Member suggests. I was pointing out that I should not like to give an undertaking about this. It is a long-established custom that payments of this sort should be regarded as appropriations-in-aid.