§ Sir B. Neven-Spenceasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many applications for the release of agricultural workers under Class B have been received by the W.A.E.C.s of Orkney and Shetland, respectively; how many have been forwarded to the Department of Agriculture for Scotland; how many have been recommended by the department for release; and how many releases have been granted.
Mr. FraserThe particulars requested, up to 10th December, are as follows: applications received by the Committees—Orkneys 7, Zetland 21; releases recommended by the Committees—Orkney 7, Zetland 21; releases recommended by the Department of Agriculture—Orkney Nil, Zetland 1; releases granted Orkney Nil, Zetland Nil.
Applications from these areas have been mainly for the release of skilled workers or in respect of crofts. Skilled workers do not qualify as individual specialists unless they occupy "Key" positions. The management of crofts can seldom be held to be of sufficient national importance to justify Class B releases, but applications for releases in respect of crofts can often be entertained by the Service Departments on "one-man business" compassionate grounds.