HC Deb 23 March 1944 vol 398 cc1039-40
51. Mr. Turton

asked the Minister of Agriculture for what average period per day are the drivers employed by the North Riding war agricultural executive committee on the driving of Italian prisoners of war actually engaged in driving duties; and, whether, during the remainder of the day, these drivers are permitted to undertake other employment.

Mr. Hudson

The drivers in the employment of the committee are engaged in conveying prisoners for up to 2½ hours a day. During the remainder of the day they are used for other transport work or, if they are not needed for this work, the committee arranges for them to work on farms or drainage schemes, or at the committee's machinery depots.

Mr. Turton

Will my right hon. Friend investigate this matter further? Is he aware of the complaint that both lorries and drivers are idle for six hours out of an eight hours working day?

Mr. Hudson

Yes, Sir, but I am not sure whether that applies to the people referred to in my hon. Friend's Question. He asked about the drivers employed by this committee and I have looked into the matter. There are a certain number of lorries hired by the committee, whose drivers do not come into it. [Interruption.] An hon. Member opposite suggests that they do nothing all day. Let me tell him that the Transport and General Workers' Union have insisted that the consent of drivers to do other work must be obtained in every case, and that that consent is not always forthcoming.