§ Mr. E. Walkdenasked the Minister of Agriculture what directions have been given to war agricultural committees to the effect that they are not to take on persons already engaged on tractor driving in other employment even if such persons wish to change their employment and become more fully engaged on tractor driving, thus being eligible for higher rates of pay?
§ Mr. E. Walkdenasked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the serious difficulties of war agricultural committees in securing the services of experienced machinery operators, the damage to valuable machinery caused by inexpert handling, and the consequent delays, and the fact that machinery of war committees is wanted for full-time use, he will arrange for the services of expert tractor-drivers, not fully employed on machinery at their present places of employment, to be directed to work for the committees, wherever this is reasonably possible?
Mr. HudsonTractor drivers on farms are often expert at other farm work also. As a general rule, it would not be economical of labour to direct skilled men away from individual farms to work with Committees. General instructions have, however, been given to Committees to see that the best use is made of the labour available; and to meet difficulties in some special cases, transfers from individual farms to Committees have been effected. For the most part, however, Committees have been advised to make use of their own organisation to train suitable men and women as additional tractor drivers.