Agricultural Workers

HC Deb 19 May 1953 vol 515 cc121-2W

49. Mr. Watkins

asked the Minister of Labour the terms of reference of agricultural deferment advisory panels in connection with the call-up of agricultural workers.

Sir W. Monckton

There are no formal terms of reference, but the functions of the panels are to advise the National Service deferment boards on the agricultural aspects of deferment applications, including the question whether any rearrangement of the work on the farm could be made which would enable the man to be called-up without a substantial loss of food production, the prospects of finding suitable alternative labour within a reasonable period and, in the case of stockmen, whether call-up would leave the employer with no alternative but to reduce substantially the amount of livestock on the farm.

Mr. Watkins

asked the Minister of Labour how many applications for deferment of call-up of agricultural workers have been referred to the advisory panel in Breconshire; how many of the recommendations have been unanimous for and against deferment; in how many cases the panel has not been fully constituted; and how many farms have been visited.

Sir W. Monckton

One hundred and eighty-two applications for deferment of agricultural workers have been referred to the Agricultural Advisory Panel in Breconshire. The panel unanimously recommended the grant of deferment of 161 cases and rejections in 15 cases. At five out of 20 meetings, the panel was not fully constituted. There have been no visits to farms by members of the panel, but on one occasion a Departmental officer was asked to make local inquiries for the information of the panel.

Mr. Watkins

asked the Minister of Labour what percentage of agricultural workers in each of the counties in Wales have been called up for service to date.

Sir W. Monckton

I regret that this information is not available. The number of agricultural workers born in 1933 or later called up from the whole of Wales (including Monmouthshire) from November, 1951 to 30th April, 1953, was 451. This is the product of two and a half age groups and represents about 1 per cent. of the whole-time regular male agricultural workers (including working farmers) in Wales and Monmouthshire.