HC Deb 07 August 1941 vol 373 cc2089-90
53. Mr. Price

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether steps will be taken to make available for farm work in this country the large number of Italian prisoners of war now in various places overseas?

Mr. Hudson

The first 2,000 Italian prisoners of war for employment on the land have now arrived in this country and will shortly be distributed to working camps. Further parties are expected to arrive during the next few months. These prisoners will be employed mainly on ditching, drainage and land reclamation. The total number that can be made available depends of course upon a number of factors which fall outside the scope of my Department.

Mr. Price

Is there any possibility of their being employed individually on the farms?

Mr. Hudson

No, Sir.