§ Mr. KINGasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture what wages it is proposed to pay to the Danish labourers which are being brought over for a year to assist British farmers; and 144W whether, in the event of the War ending within a year, any curtailment of this hiring for a year is contemplated?
Mr. HARCOURTMy hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. The employer when applying for the services of these workmen states the rate of wages offered, which is required to be not less than the current rate for the occupation and district. The period for which the workmen agree to remain in agricultural employment in this country is twelve months or the duration of the War, whichever period is the shorter, so that the hiring would be automatically terminated if the War ended within the year. I should add that in compliance with the expressed wish of the Danish Government it has been possible to recruit only a very limited number of men in Denmark, and the Board cannot entertain any further applications for these workmen.