HC Deb 30 April 1919 vol 115 c147
14. Mr. GILBERT

asked 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. CHURCHILL

There 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:

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
Since the Armistice, 7,233 prisoners have been repatriated; these include those seriously ill and medical personnel.

Mr. GILBERT

Has anything been done to employ the 11,000 who are now unemployed?

Mr. CHURCHILL

Surely.