§ 76. Sir C. HENRYasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in view of the demand for labour, he will take into consideration whether a certain num- 1988 ber of those subjects of enemy countries who are interned could be employed, under adequate supervision, in work of a national character outside the internment camps?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThis matter has already had a great deal of consideration. The hon. Baronet will bear in mind that the British Government is precluded by The Hague Convention from employing prisoners on work having "any connection with the operations of the war"; that British workmen object to working side by side with Germans; and that it is difficult to find the greatly increased number of guards required to supervise men working out of camp. Combatant prisoners, however, are being employed in parties under guards in France on labouring work, and arrangements have been made for them to be employed in the same way in this country. Civilian prisoners in the Isle of Man are doing quarrying, road making, and peat cutting, and growing vegetables for the camps; while a beginning has been made of the employment of suitable men in other parts of the country on agricultural work. Other schemes are being formed. I would also refer my hon. Friend to the statement made by Lord Newton in another place last Thursday.