§ 50. Mr. Parkerasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that there is a great deal of undrained land largely covered with rushes in the counties of Carnarvon and Merioneth, particularly adjoining the estuaries leading inland from Portmadoc and Barmouth; and whether Italian prisoners of war could be used to make this land more productive?
Mr. HudsonA number of State-aided schemes for the improvement of land in the districts to which the hon. Member refers have been, or are being, carried out, and further work is under active consideration. Arrangements are being made for the provision of additional labour, including prisoners of war, for land drainage work, but I do not think that the areas in question are very suitable for the employment of prisoners.