§ 7.11 p.m.
§ EARL FORTESCUEMy Lords, I beg to ask the first question on the Paper in the name of my noble friend Earl De La Warr.
§ [The question was as follows:
§ To ask His Majesty's Government how many applications for the release of agricultural workers and of associated rural craftsmen under Class B have been received by war agricultural executive committees in Great Britain; how many releases have been obtained; whether steps are being considered both to ease and make more attractive the terms of release under Class B; and what other steps, if any, are being taken to get more workers into the agricultural industry.]
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY OF THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES (THE EARL OF HUNTINGDON)My Lords, I should like to inform your Lordships, in answer to the noble Earl, Lord De La Warr's question, that it is estimated that about 10,000 applications for the release of agricultural workers and workers in industries ancillary to agriculture under Class B arrangements for "individual specialists" have been received by agricultural executive committees in Great Britain. The number of applications supported by the committees to the sponsoring Departments is 2,507, of which 872 have been recommended for release; 664 releases have been granted to date; 39 applications have been rejected by the Ministry of Labour or Service Departments for noncompliance with the essential conditions of release or for Service reasons; and a decision is still awaited on 169 applications.
In reply to the third part of the question, the whole question of Class B releases for agriculture is still under consideration, but it is hoped to wake a statement at 142 an early date. As regards the last part of the question, the Ministry of Labour and National Service in the ordinary way submit names of suitable persons registering at employment exchanges for agricultural vacancies, and that Department is also conducting a widespread publicity campaign through the Press to encourage workers formerly employed in certain key industries, including agriculture, to return to those industries if they can be spared from their present jobs. Recruitment for the Womens' Land Army is still being continued and it is hoped that the Government's scheme of vocational training in agriculture and horticulture for men and women released from war service will attract many new recruits to the industry.