§ Mr. Henderson Stewartasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that boots and shoes issued to members of the Women's Land Army, though they remain the property of the Women's Land Army, have to be repaired at the girls' own expense resulting in repairs being postponed frequently, until the boots and shoes have to be replaced; that the members of the Women's Land Army regard this regulation as unfair and unjust; and whether he will consider making such repairs a responsibility of the 1556W organisation or of the Department of Agriculture?
Mr. JohnstonMembers of the Women's Land Army are expected to keep their equipment in repair at their own expense, though an exception has been made, for special reasons, in the case of rubber boots. The Women's Land Army work under the ordinary conditions of farm employment and their wage-rates are fixed on that basis. Accordingly, while it was felt to be reasonable that as newcomers to agriculture they should receive a free issue of uniform equipment, it was not considered necessary to give them privileges in regard to maintenance which are not available to other farm workers. I am informed that there is no evidence of undue delay in providing repairs to boots and shoes.