§ 49. Sir G. Jeffreysasked the Minister of Agriculture the method by which supervision is exercised over Italian prisoners of war working on the land; and whether 861 it is the duty of those in charge of them to take any action in cases of idling or refusal to work properly?
Mr. HudsonIt is the responsibility of the empoyer to see that the work of Italian prisoners of war is properly organised and supervised, though the armed escort sent with a large party is required to see that the prisoners do a fair day's work. Where prisoners do not work properly the person in charge of them should make a written complaint to the Labour Officer at the camp so that the matter may be dealt with by the camp military authorities.
§ Sir G. JeffreysIs my right hon. Friend aware that recently in Hampshire there has been a case of a gang of prisoners working for the war agricultural committee idling in working time, apparently free of all interference by any guards, and spending their time in carving swastikas and Fascist emblems on growing trees?