§ Mr. PERKINSasked the Minister of National Service whether a farmer, hitherto holding a certificate of exemption for agriculture, but of military age, can be called up before an opportunity has been afforded him to appeal to the local tribunal for exemption, both for national and for personal reasons; and, in a case where such a farmer has actually been taken by the military authority before his appeal has been heard, whether he can indicate what steps can be taken by the farmer to obtain a hearing?
§ Sir A. GEDDESCertificates of exemption held by farmers on occupational grounds were cancelled by the Military Service (Agricultural Exemptions) Order, which came into force on 11th June last. Any man whose certificate was thus cancelled had the right to lodge an application within four days to a tribunal for a certificate of exemption on personal grounds. If my hon. Friend will send me particulars of the case to which he refers, I will have inquiries made, and inform him as to the position.
Sir LEICESTER HARMSWORTHasked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that, by an agreement made between the representative of the Board of Agriculture for Scotland and the National Service representative, the tenant of the farm of East Greenland, Caithness, which extends to 100 acres, of which 70 acres are in cultivation, has been called up for military service; whether he is aware that the farm was being worked without assistance by the tenant, and has, since his calling up over three weeks ago, been left derelict; whether the facts of 642W the case have been brought specially to the knowledge of the Board of Agriculture; and what action it is proposed to take to ensure that the farm will not remain in a derelict state and that the season's crops will not be lost?
§ Mr. MUNROThe man referred to is aged twenty-two and became liable for military service under the Proclamation of 20th April. He was at that time employed on another farm, and did not enter on the tenancy of East Greenland Farm till Whit-Sunday last. No application for exemption was made by his employer nor did he make an application on personal grounds. The Board of Agriculture for Scotland have made special inquiries and inform me that as the man's father has a croft in the immediate neighbourhood of the farm, the district agricultural executive committee consider that suitable arrangements can be made by him for the management of the farm during his son's absence.