Women's Land Army

HC Deb 23 November 1943 vol 393 c1472W

Sir D. Hacking

asked the Minister of Agriculture why the W.L.A. refuse to accept new entrants who have had previous experience of work on the land?

Mr. Hudson

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to my reply given on 4th February last to my hon. Friends the Members for Louth (Lieut.-Colonel Heneage) and East Islington (Mrs. Cazalet Keir), of which I am sending him a copy.

Sir D. Hacking

asked the Minister of Agriculture the total administrative cost to the country of the W.L.A., including under separate headings, headquarters, county headquarters and other organisations charged with the welfare side of the W.L.A.?

Mr. Hudson

The administrative cost of the Women's Land Army in England and Wales borne on my Department's Votes from the date of its inception in 1939 until 30th September, 1943, is £346,500 made up as follows:

	£
Headquarters staff	38,500
County Headquarters	300,000
Y.W.C.A. (Administration of hostels)	8,000
	£346,500

In addition to the above the cost of stationery (£15,500) has been borne on the Vote of H.M.S.O., and the cost of rent, rates and taxes, etc., in respect of the county headquarters (£31,600) has been borne on the Vote of the Ministry of Works.