§ Major Markhamasked the Minister of Labour how many agricultural workers have been called up for National Service during the last year; and in what months they were called up.
§ Mr. WatkinsonSince 1st November, 1951, when agricultural workers born in 1933 became available for call-up, 9,333210W agricultural workers in the 1933 and 1934 age classes have been called up. The number called up each month was:
November1951 … … … 2,871 December 1951 … … … 1,339 January1952 … … … 1,391 February 1952 … … … 928 March 1952 … … … 674 April 1952 … … … 753 May 1952 … … … 718 June1952 … … … 659
§ Mr. N. Macphersonasked the Minister of Labour (1) if he is aware that agricultural workers in Scotland are being called up for National Service just as the harvest season is starting; and whether he will consult with the appropriate Departments with a view to devising better machinery for ensuring that, in future, such men are not called up until the autumn;
(2) why agricultural workers are being called up just as the harvest season is starting; and whether he will arrange for such men to be given leave until the harvest is in.
§ Mr. WatkinsonAs announced by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture on 4th April, the call-up of agricultural workers in England and Wales will be suspended during the months of September and October and the first half of November. As the Scottish harvest is later than in England and Wales, it has been agreed that in Scotland agricultural workers should not be called up between the 15th September and 29th November. This concession covers the period of the potato and sugar beet harvests, when the demand for labour is at its heaviest and I am afraid that it would not be possible to extend it. NOT could I recommend to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War that he should arrange for leave to be given to agricultural workers called up for the Army before the 15th September.