HC Deb 19 July 1955 vol 544 cc27-8W
Sir A. Bossom

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will arrange that all agricultural workers should complete their two weeks' annual training at a period to be agreed mutually between the commanding officer and the farmer concerned in view of the great inconvenience caused, especially on small farms, by the absence of their workers during certain selected summer months.

Mr. F. Maclean

The main object of annual camp is to assemble the members of a unit to train together as a team. To achieve this, as many men as possible must attend camp during the fortnight fixed for their unit, and this consideration limits the extent to which we can offer alternative training periods. My right hon. Friend cannot, therefore, give any general undertaking in respect of agricultural or other workers, but commanding officers consider sympathetically any application to change dates of training on the grounds of hardship to a Reservist or his employer.