§ Major Sir KEITH FRASERasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the question of employing soldiers sentenced to imprisonment or detention for purely military offences, and who are suitable, on the land, especially in Leicestershire, in view of the shortage of agricultural labourers?
§ Mr. FORSTERThe answer is in the negative.
§ Sir K. FRASERasked the Secretary of State for War if the distribution of the men in the Army who are allowed to be employed on the land is done by grouping them under the various commands; whether Leicestershire is under the York Command; and, as the agricultural population in Leicestershire is under entirely different circumstances to that of Yorkshire, will he consider a better method of distribution which will release more soldiers for work on the land in Leicestershire when it is so much needed?
§ Mr. FORSTERSoldiers employed on the land are administered by the Headquarters of the Command in which they are
1451Wserving. Those employed in Leicestershire are administered by the Northern Command. Leicestershire is entitled to retain 20 per cent. of those soldiers at present working. on the land in that county, and I regret it is not possible to make arrangements for an increase of that number, as all counties require the full 20 per cent. allotted.