HC Deb 01 November 1955 vol 545 cc106-8W
Sir I. Fraser

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is now in a position to announce his future policy for the deferment of farm workers from National Service, following his consideration of the representations made by the National Farmers' Union.

Mr. Watkinson

Yes. The rule has been abolished which precluded from consideration for deferment any agricultural worker, born in 1933 or later, who was employed on a farm or agricultural holding where there was more than two whole-time workers aged 17 or over unless he was a stockman. In future, consideration will be given to applications for deferment of any man, other than a seasonal worker, who is engaged in food production on an agricultural holding and is employed in one of the main or subsidiary agricultural occupations.

Before deferment is granted it has to be established that there would unavoidably be a substantial loss of food production if the man concerned was called up. To determine this the Agricultural Advisory Panel and National Service Deferment Board have to be satisfied that

  1. (1) the farm or holding is making a significant contribution to food production and that production is substantial in relation to the size of the farm or holding;
    2. 107
  2. (2) no arrangements can be made, for example, re-allocation of duties among the existing labour force, which would enable the worker to be withdrawn without substantial loss of food production;
  3. (3) there is no prospect of finding suitable alternative labour in the near future.

The granting of deferment will also be subject to the existing rules affecting the position of men who are (a) late entrants or re-entrants to agriculture, (b) have changed their employment since the issue of a notice to attend for medical examination, (c) are not wholly employed on one particular farm and (d) are not wholly employed on food production.

Some men born in 1933 or latter have been given continuous extension of the period of deferment. if conditions justifying the deferment of these men exist when their twenty-sixth birthday approaches and deferment is still recommended by the Agricultural Advisory Panel, it will not be refused by the National Service Deferment Board on the ground of age alone.