84. Brigadier-General-SURTEESasked the Minister of Labour if he will state whether German prisoners of war at Stanhope-in-Weardale have ever been employed in quarrying operations; if so, under what circumstances; and whether he will state how the labour of these prisoners compared with that of the Weardale quarrymen, especially as regards the amount of limestone quarried in a given number of hours, and the amount and rate of remuneration paid?
§ Sir R. HORNEI am having inquiries made into this matter, and so soon as these are complete I will communicate with my hon. Friend.
§ 86 and 92. Colonel W. THORNEasked (1) the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that over 1,000 British workers engaged on Government work at Chepstow have been discharged; that their places have been filled by German prisoners of war; and whether he can take any action to prevent this discharge of British labour; (2) the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller, whether he is aware that over 1,000 British workers engaged on Government work at Chepstow have been discharged and their places filled by German prisoners of war; whether his Department is responsible for this 616 action; and, if so, will he state the conditions under which these prisoners of war work and the remuneration they receive?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of SHIPPING (Colonel Leslie Wilson)I have been asked to reply to these questions. The answer to the first portion of the hon. and gallant Member's question is in the negative. The German prisoners of war engaged upon construction work at the national shipyards are employed upon work which has been performed heretofore by them or by military labour, but I may add that arrangements have already been made for the withdrawal, as early as possible, of the German prisoners of war at Beachley.