HC Deb 18 December 1941 vol 376 cc2073-4
46. Mr. Wakefield

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the urgent demand for labour, he will arrange that the War Office take over the building of their camps from the Ministry of Works and Buildings with a view to using Italian prisoners of war for this work, thereby releasing British workmen for urgent work elsewhere?

Mr. Attlee

All Italian prisoners in this country are already fully employed on work of national importance, including the construction of prisoner of war camps. The transfer of responsibility for the building of prisoner of war camps from the Ministry of Works and Buildings to the War Office would not have any effect on the total amount of labour available.

Mr. Bevan

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that it will cause the deepest apprehension and fear in the country if any more work is given to the War Office? We would like to have the war taken away from the War Office if we could.

Mr. Attlee

I thought the hon. Member supported the National Government.