May, 1943, by about 9,000,000 gallons. The pre-war average for May was about 125,500,000 gallons. 6, Sales during the six months October, 1943, to March 1944, were 603,697,000 gallons, an increase of 40,299,000 gallons (7%) compared with the previous winter and about 12% more than in the winter of 1941/42. 7. Labour. Shortage of labour, especially skilled labour, is being increasingly felt. In England and Wales recruitment to the Women's Land Army since January has been disappointing, the enrolled strength at the end of May being nearly 3,000 short of the ceiling fixed for the end of June, while the number employed (69,400) was nearly 8,000 less than at the end of August, 1943.