HC Deb 03 February 1942 vol 377 cc1032-3
20. Mr. Snadden

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the shortage of agricultural labour in some parts of Scotland; and what steps he proposes to take to make available to Scottish farmers Italian prisoners of war now in this country?

Mr. Westwood

I am fully alive to the agricultural labour position in Scotland, and in view of the labour shortage I am glad to say that arrangements are being made for the allocation this year of a considerable number of Italian prisoners to Scotland. A small proportion will be available in the spring, and a substantially larger force in the early summer.

Mr. Snadden

Will these prisoners be employed in gangs or on individual farms?

Mr. Westwood

They will be in camps in different parts of the country—it would not be in the public interest to mention the places—and the allocation of gangs or individual prisoners to farms will be in the hands of the agricultural executive committees.

Mr. Snadden

What will they be paid, and to whom will it be payable?

Mr. Westwood

I could not say without notice.

Captain McEwen

Will the hon. Gentleman bear in mind the statement of the hon. and gallant Member for Peters-field (Sir G. Jeffreys) last week that farmers were complaining that the work they got out of these Italian prisoners was not worth much, and does his information bear that out?

Mr. Westwood

My information is that that is not the universal experience in connection with the use of Italian prisoners.