§ 14. Mr. GILBERTasked the Secretary of State for War if he will state the number of German and Austrian military prisoners still detained in this country; how many of them are being employed and in what industries; whether any prisoners of war have been repatriated since the Armistice was signed; and, if so, how many and for what reasons?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThere are at present 96,000 German and Austrian military prisoners of war detained in this country. Forty thousand five hundred are engaged in agriculture, forestry, cement production, and quarrying. The difference between the number of prisoners detained and the number employed is accounted for as follows:
Since the Armistice, 7,233 prisoners have been repatriated; these include those seriously ill and medical personnel.
In hospital and unfit 9,500 Officers and surplus non-commissioned officers 21,000 Employed in camp duties 3,500 Awaiting embarkation, and on the way to France 10,000 Unemployed 11,500
§ Mr. GILBERTHas anything been done to employ the 11,000 who are now unemployed?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLSurely.