§ Mr. Wakefieldasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the serious disrepair into which farm buildings required for storing food for human and animal consumption are now falling due to shortage of labour and materials; and what steps he is proposing to take in order that the products of the farmers' efforts may not be wasted?
§ Mr. Wakefieldasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the serious shortage of building operatives for the repair of agricultural buildings; and that unless the return of men drafted to other work be expedited, many buildings will not be in a fit state to store the food now being produced for human and animal consumption; and what action he is proposing to take?
§ Mr. McCorquodaleSubject to the requirements of the Forces and of urgent Government building works, special consideration is given to the needs of rural areas in regard to the repair of farm buildings and other essential agricultural maintenance work. In appropriate cases, the call-up of men of military age is deferred and transfer to Government works does not proceed unless substitutes can be provided. While my right hon. Friend 1795W could not undertake, as a general rule, to return men previously withdrawn from rural areas, he would be prepared to consider the possibility of arranging for such return in individual cases where the men can be released from the essential Government work on which they are engaged and where other arrangements to meet local requirements cannot be made.