§ Major LANE-FOXasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware of the very serious dislocation of agricultural work, during a particularly late sowing season in Yorkshire, caused by the withdrawal on or before 30th April of 695 out of the 1,469 men issued to farms from the agricultural labour centre at York; whether before this withdrawal a real shortage of agricultural labour was reported from the North of England; and whether it is the fact that if further withdrawals of these men are carried out much of the stronger land will not be sown at all this season?
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§ Commander EYRES-MONSELLThe Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture is aware of the serious dislocation of agricultural work that will be caused if the soldiers at present at work on the land are withdrawn. The withdrawal of these men has been postponed for fourteen days in order that the War Office may further consider the matter.
§ Lieutenant-Colonel WEIGALLasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether the Executive Committee, County War Agricultural Committee, Lindsey area of Lincolnshire, has intimated to the Board that owing to the withdrawal of indispensable labour from the land in this corn-growing area they can no longer be responsible for the duties imposed upon them in connection with the maintenance of food production; and what action the Board proposes to take?
§ Commander EYRES-MONSELLThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The Board recognise fully the serious shortage of labour on the land and strong representations on the subject have been made. As the hon. and gallant Member is aware, the Secretary of State for War has agreed to suspend for a fortnight the calling up of the soldiers who are employed on the land in order that the question may be further examined.
§ Major LANE-FOXasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that of the 1,469 men on the strength of and attached to the agricultural labour centre at York, and working on farms in Yorkshire, 690 are being withdrawn on or before 30th April; and whether, in view of the great dislocation caused to agriculture by the withdrawal of such large numbers of indispensable men during seed time in a particularly late season, he will delay any further withdrawals at any rate till the seed time is completed?
§ Colonel ROUNDELLasked the Secretary of State for War whether all soldiers who are on agricultural work are being recalled to their units; and, if so, whether he can see his way to rescinding the order in the interests of farmers, who are very short of labour, which is urgently required at the present time, particularly in districts where there is no agricultural labour available at the Labour Exchanges?
§ Mr. REMERasked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the withdrawal of soldiers from agricultural work; whether he is 383W aware of the dislocation of important work caused by this withdrawal; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe withdrawal of soldiers employed on agriculture has been postponed for fourteen days in accordance with the undertaking which I gave in Debate last Tuesday.