§ 2. Mr. Turtonasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will increase the special allowance credited to the account of an officer prisoner of war in Italy, so that it may be sufficient to cover the increased charge which the Italian Government is now imposing?
§ Mr. A. HendersonI am glad to say that the increased daily charge of 8.6o lire imposed by the Italian Government has now been withdrawn, with effect from the date it was imposed, namely, 1st July, 1942.
§ 13. Commander Locker-Lampsonasked the Secretary of State for War how many German prisoners were employed in this country during the last war; and whether, he intends employing them in this war?
§ Mr. HendersonAt one time in the last war as many as 65,497 German prisoners were employed in this country. The answer to the last part of the Question is "No, Sir."
§ Commander Locker-LampsonDoes not my hon. and learned Friend agree that German vandals who have tried to destroy this country should be employed to help us to restore it?
§ Mr. HendersonFor security reasons it is preferred not to use Germans in this war. We prefer to use Italian prisoners of war, of whom there is a plentiful supply.
§ Commander Locker-LampsonAre we to be afraid of the Germans in our own country?
§ Mr. ThorneWould not prisoners of war be very much better engaged in some kind of work than simply loafing about?
§ Mr. HendersonThat might well be, but I am dealing with the employment of German prisoners of war in this country.