HC Deb 16 November 1944 vol 404 cc2117-9
54. Lieut.-Colonel Six Thomas Cook

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware of the shortage of labour for sugar-beet and potato lifting in North Norfolk; and whether it is possible to increase the number of prisoners of war at present available for this purpose.

The Minister of Agriculture (Mr. R. S. Hudson)

Yes, Sir, About 900 additional prisoners have been sent to North Norfolk since 1st October; 100 more are on their way; and arrangements are in hand for posting a further 250 prioners to that area as soon as possible.

60. Mr. De Chair

asked the Minister of Agriculture what improvement has taken place in the supply of labour on South-west Norfolk farms in the last fortnight.

Mr. Hudson

The number of prisoners of war employed in agriculture in South-west Norfolk has been increased during the past fortnight by over 20 per cent.

61. Mr. De Chair

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction felt in Norfolk at the idleness of Italian prisoners of war working on farms; and whether he will arrange for them to be replaced as soon as possible by German prisoners of war who work much better and are under proper discipline.

Mr. Hudson

I am aware that some farmers are dissatisfied with the output of the Italian prisoners working in Norfolk. I am afraid that it will not be possible to supply more Germans in Norfolk in the near future, since all the camps in that neighbourhood suitable for Germans are already full.

Mr. De Chair

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why it is not possible to have more German prisoners of war working in Norfolk, because if they are kept under proper supervision the saving in man-power more than outweights the loss of man power we are getting from the Italians?

Mr. Hudson

It is a question of camps For security reasons the German prisoners are limited to certain camps, and there are no more of them in that area.

Mr. Rhys Davies

Does the right hon. Gentleman accept the statement in the Question that the Germans are better workers than Italians? [HON. MEMBERS: "Yes."] Why should he give such a testimonial?

Mr. Price

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a similar situation is arising in other counties besides Norfolk?

62. Mr. De Chair

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that Italian prisoners of war, who have volunteered to co-operate with the Allies, work better on farms than non-co-operators; why the non-co-operators are working in South-west Norfolk without any supervision or discipline; and whether he will arrange with the military authorities that these avowed Fascists are made to work under the same degree of control and discipline as German prisoners of war and are confined to their camps when off duty.

Mr. Hudson

On the whole the output of Italian co-operators working in agriculture is better than that of non-co-operators. Non-co-operators are working under the same conditions as applied to all Italian prisoners before they were given an opportunity to volunteer to co-operate and I am not aware that those in South-west Norfolk are without supervision or discipline. It is the responsibility of the employing farmer to provide supervision, except where the War Agricultural Executive Committee is able to supply a foreman. I understand that the majority of Italian non-co-operators in South-west Norfolk are working under military escorts, who are expected to check any idleness and ensure a full and fair daily output of work. Italian non-co-operators at central camps are already confined to camp when oft duty and are, generally speaking, subject to the same control and disciplinary action as German prisoners.

Mr. De Chair

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that he is completely misinformed, and that these Fascists, who boasted that they would march through the streets of Cairo, are in fact strolling through the streets of Swaffham, much to the annoyance of the inhabitants?