§ 9. Mr. Butcherasked the Minister of Works what is the total number of German prisoners of war at his disposal and also the number of German prisoners which he has been unable to supply in response to requests from local authorities and statutory undertakings.
§ Mr. TomlinsonThere are at present 27,700 German prisoners of war at my disposal. The number of prisoners which cannot at the moment be supplied to local authorities and statutory undertakings is 18,634, of which 4,208 are required for work directly in connection with housing.
§ Mr. ButcherMay I ask my right hon. Friend whether he is assured of the fullest co-operation from the War Office in securing this German prisoner labour, so that housing plans now held up, may go ahead without further delay?
§ Mr. TomlinsonI am asking all the time for full co-operation, and assuming that I am getting it.
§ Mr. StokesMay I ask my right hon. Friend whether these men, when employed, are paid a full and proper wage, or whether they are being used as slaves, and whether he can tell us when they will be sent home? [Interruption.] I know some hon. Members do not care a damn about slaves.
§ Mr. SpeakerThat was a most improper remark.
§ Mr. StokesI beg your pardon, Mr. Speaker, but I was provoked.