HC Deb 04 February 1941 vol 368 c776
7. Major Sir Edward Cadogan

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the Government have come to any decision with regard to the disposal of Italian prisoners taken by the British Army in the Libyan campaign?

The Secretary of State for War (Captain Margesson)

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer I gave to my right hon. Friend the Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Mr. Wedgwood) on Tuesday last, of which I am sending him a copy. I can now add that the Government of the Union of South Africa have agreed to take 20,000 of these prisoners of war, and it is hoped to complete the arrangements for this very shortly.

Sir Annesley Somerville

Is the suggestion that a large number of these prisoners should be put to work on the land here, to be carried out?

Captain Margesson

Yes, Sir; that is being pursued.