asked the Minister of Labour whether the decision to call up agricultural workers is restricted to those becoming liable to National Service from now on or applies to all those whose call-up has been postponed, subject to their remaining in their present occupation, and have not yet attained the age of 26 years.

The decision applies to those who were required to register for National Service on 3rd February last and subsequently—that is to say, to young men born on or after 1st January, 1933.

Can the hon. Gentleman say how many young men are liable to call-up compared with the 15,000 whom it is proposed to call up?

Can the Minister explain what procedure agricultural employers should take where the call-up of young men will result in serious losses of agricultural production?

There is time to give that information. This scheme will not operate until 1st November, as the hon. Gentleman knows.

Will the hon. Gentleman arrange for a general statement to be made as soon as possible upon the liability of agricultural workers in general to military service, as there is considerable confusion about Territorials and so on?

Administrative steps are being taken to set up machinery.

Can my hon. Friend say to what extent the National Farmers' Union and the Scottish Farm Servants' Union were consulted before this decision was made?

Not without notice.