HC Deb 07 March 1917 vol 91 cc388-9
82. Mr. O'GRADY

asked the Home Secretary whether German prisoners interned in the Isle of Man have been trained to and are making brushes, and that the brushes not required for Government use are put on the open market by a firm who in pre-war time were large importers of German and other foreign-made brushes; and whether, having regard to the fact that these arrangements hit badly a trade where dilution of labour has been adopted and in which the capacity to produce has increased rather than diminished, steps will be taken to cease the training of such prisoners and the manufacture of brushes under such conditions by diverting the labour of the prisoners to the cultivation of land or road-making?

Sir G. CAVE

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave the hon. Member for the Dublin Harbour Division last Wednesday. The work of brush-making is confined to prisoners who cannot be employed on the land.

Mr. O'GRADY

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer that part of the question in which it is indicated that the brushes not used by Government Departments are put upon the open market?

Sir G. CAVE

I answered that fully on the occasion to which I have referred. My hon. Friend will find the answer there.

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