§ 9. Mr. GILBERTasked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) what percentage of the total number of German prisoners in this country are now being employed; can he give the numbers 2728 employed on agriculture, forestry, and other trades; and what rate of remuneration are they paid?
§ Mr. JAMES HOPE (Lord of the Treasury)Of the prisoners of war available for employment, 84 per cent. are now working, and the remaining 16 per cent. are earmarked for work, and only await the necessary local accommodation. In addition, there are a large number of officers and non-commissioned officers, besides sick, wounded, and unfit. The employers of the working prisoners pay the Government full district rates for their services, the prisoners themselves receiving an average of about one penny per hour.