§ Mr. BUXTONasked the Under-secretary of State for War whether, in view of the calling up for military service of agricultural labourers from farms which are already shorthanded and the risk of certain farms becoming derelict in consequence, the discharge from the Army of soldiers who were formerly working on the land and who are classified in medical categories below the standard of Grade I will be expedited?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONThere is no intention of discharging soldiers below Grade I for the specific purpose of working on the land. Agricultural Companies provide for shortage of labour on the land, and in special cases substitution of low category soldiers may be effected. In the latter case, however, the soldier would be transferred to the Reserve and not discharged.