§ 17. Colonel YATEasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that British prisoners of war have been employed at extremely arduous labour, not only in salt mines, but also in coal mines, in Germany, steps have now been taken for the employment of German prisoners of war in salt and coal mines in this country; and, if not, what steps it is proposed to take?
§ Mr. JAMES HOPE (Lord of the Treasury)German prisoners have not hitherto been employed in coal or salt mines, as, apart from the difficulties of language which would prevent them from understanding the regulations, British miners are unwilling to work with them. If a way can be found of overcoming the difficulties it will certainly be taken.
§ Colonel YATEBut the Germans have got over the difficulty by putting British prisoners into their mines. Surely there can be no obstacle to employing Germans in English mines?
§ Mr. HOPEPerhaps they are willing to take greater risks in this matter, and also, apparently, the German miners are not unwilling or unable to enforce their unwillingness to work by the side of British prisoners.
§ Colonel C. LOWTHERIs there a system of reprisals against German brutalities to prisoners?