HC Deb 29 July 1941 vol 373 cc1269-70W
Sir G. Jeffreys

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of members of the Women's Land Army or women unattached thereto who have since the start of the war, learned or been taught how to milk cows; and whether he is satisfied with the measures of extension of this knowledge?

Mr. Hudson

No exact analysis of Women's Land Army trainees is available, but it may be taken that of the 15,000 members of the Land Army now at work, approximately one-half are in employment which includes milking. I am not in a position to give information about women outside the Women's Land Army who may have gained experience in milking since the outbreak of war. If farmers able to provide milking instruction will apply for Women's Land Army volunteers for training sufficiently in advance of their needs, I am satisfied that it should be possible to meet the demand for milkers in full.