Oral Answers to Questions — Agriculture. – in the House of Commons at on 22 May 1941.
Mr Robert Taylor
, Morpeth
asked the Minister of Agriculture whether a non-agriculturist, who has entered on, or purchased, a farm since the outbreak of war, is to be excused military service, while efficient men actually doing the essential work of the farm are liable to be called for service?
Mr. Hudson:
No, Sir, men who are not genuine agriculturists will not be permitted to evade military service by entering on, or purchasing, a farm. County war agricultural executive committees have been instructed to investigate and report on any cases of this sort which come to their notice. Where the facts warrant it the case will be referred to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service, so that he may take the necessary action.
Mr George Garro-Jones
, Aberdeen North
Has any criterion ever been offered to the county war agricultural committees to guide them as to the test they should impose as to whether a man is a genuine agriculturist or not, and particularly whether his experience has been limited to the period since the outbreak of the war?
Ministers make up the Government and almost all are members of the House of Lords or the House of Commons. There are three main types of Minister. Departmental Ministers are in charge of Government Departments. The Government is divided into different Departments which have responsibilities for different areas. For example the Treasury is in charge of Government spending. Departmental Ministers in the Cabinet are generally called 'Secretary of State' but some have special titles such as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Ministers of State and Junior Ministers assist the ministers in charge of the department. They normally have responsibility for a particular area within the department and are sometimes given a title that reflects this - for example Minister of Transport.
