§ 33. Mr. ROWLANDSasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture how many German prisoners are being employed on agricultural land in Kent; what are the conditions under which they are being let out, including wages; and is he aware that there are complaints that these prisoners are being employed while a number of men in the localities are seeking work?
The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of AGRICULTURE (Sir Arthur Boscawen)The number of German prisoners employed in agriculture in the county of Kent is 360. The conditions under which prisoners are sent out provide 2888 that farmers must pay the full local rates of wages for prisoners of war, subject to small abatements in cases where the farmer has to fetch the prisoners from the depot, and no guard is provided. A complaint was received in December last that prisoners had replaced civilian labour on a farm near Maidstone, but this proved on inquiry to be without foundation. No complaints have been received by the Board from Kent during the last four months, but I shall be glad to have inquiries made into any alleged cases brought to my notice, as strict instructions have been issued by the Board that prisoner labour must in no way interfere with the employment of civilians.