HC Deb 05 November 1945 vol 415 cc898-9
57. Mr. Anthony Nutting

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will take steps to put an end to the difficulties of farmers in Leicestershire who have been unable to get German prisoner-of-war labour for gathering their potato harvest on account of priority claims on such labour for demolishing air raid shelters in Leicester City.

Mr. T. Williams

Nearly 4,000 prisoners of war as well as a considerable amount of military labour is available for agricultural work in Leicester and well over 90 per cent. of the potato crop has already been lifted.

Mr. Janner

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the question of employing further parties of prisoners from Leicester Prison on this work, in view of the satisfactory results which have been obtained from the parties who have gone out from the prison hitherto?

Mr. Williams

That is another question.