From the archives: 54,000 children wanted for potato lifting

IF THE potato harvest is to be secured Scottish schools must provide not fewer than 54,000 children for the supplementary labour force, estimated at 90,000 workers.

This fact has been conveyed to Education Authorities in a circular from Mr Arthur Woodburn, Secretary of State for Scotland, who has now completed his review of the labour available for potato lifting.

“As in previous years,” states the circular, “every possible alternative to the employment of school children has been thoroughly explored. Full use will be made of labour that can be spared from other industries and it is intended to endeavour to recruit a special seasonal force of unemployed workers. Foreign students are also being employed. Even so,” the circular adds, “no way can be found to produce a sufficient number of workers to obviate the need for assistance from school children.”

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