§ 118. Brigadier Mackesonasked the Minister of Agriculture if he will give an assurance that the labour available for gathering the 1947 harvest of hay, corn, sugar-beet and potatoes will, excluding holiday workers and children, he as large as that available in 1946.
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§ Mr. CollickIt is not possible to give, precise figures, but I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the replies my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Salisbury (Mr. J. Morrison) on 14th October and to my hon. Friend the Member for Maldon (Mr. Driberg) on 25th November. My right hon. Friend has good hopes that the supply of labour will be adequate to deal with the 1947 harvest, but would, however, stress the need for farmers themselves to do all they can to recruit labour on their own account.
§ Mr. Granvilleasked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware of the position impending with regard to the supply of agricultural workers for the farming industry in Suffolk; and if he will make a statement with regard to the number of prisoners of war likely to be employed for this purpose during the year 1947.
§ Mr. T. WilliamsThe agricultural labour position in all counties is under constant review, and the Government will do all it can to ensure that sufficient workers will be available to deal with the harvest of 1947. It is nut possible to give the number of prisoners who will be employed in Suffolk during the year, since prisoners are used where they are most needed.