andMr. O'Donnell asked the Minister for Defence whether he is aware that owing to shortage of farm workers there is grave danger of the harvest work being seriously curtailed and resultant loss of valuable food; if so, whether he will make immediate arrangements whereby members of the Defence Forces may be made available for farm work during the harvest period.
Ceist—Question. Written Answer. - The Defence Forces and Harvest Work.
I am not aware that there is any such danger of the harvest work being curtailed as stated. Arrangements have been in existence since March, 1941, whereby men enlisted for the duration of the present emergency and Reservists on permanent service may be granted agricultural leave on the basis of one month for sowing operations and one month for harvesting operations, and are issued with free return travelling vouchers to their home addresses or places of employment. All applications from soldiers for such leave have been and will be favourably considered, subject of course to military exigencies.