§ 81. Mr. Patrick Maitlandasked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to the risk of damage to the harvest caused by calling up at seed-time agricultural workers engaged in arable farming; and whether he will postpone such call-ups.
§ Sir W. MoncktonNo. The representations I have received have not been directed to this particular point.
§ 82. Mr. Patrick Maitlandasked the Minister of Labour whether he will consider rearranging the procedure for examining claims for the deferment of agricultural workers so that claims for deferment may go to the National Service advisory panels before, instead of after, screening by officials.
§ Sir W. MoncktonThe only cases screened out by officials are those which are clearly outside the scope of the deferment arrangements. All applications within scope are referred to the National Service advisory panels, with a factual report from the county agricultural officer.
§ 87. Major Beamishasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the inconvenience caused to many farmers whose agricultural workers are called up for full-time National Service; and if he will introduce legislation under which such men can be called up for part-time service with the Territorial Army and thus be able to continue with their employment on the land.
§ Sir W. MoncktonNo. An arrangement of this kind would be of no help in meeting the manpower needs of the Armed Forces for their current commitments. The demands of National Service must necessarily cause some inconvenience to employers in many important industries.
§ 89. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Minister of Labour how many agricultural workers from Ayrshire he has called up for military service up to the end of January, 1952.
§ Sir W. MoncktonUp to the end of January 1952, 43.