HC Deb 09 July 1946 vol 425 cc222-3
6. Brigadier Maekeson

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps he has taken, during the past six weeks, to ensure that prisoners of war give farmers their energetic cooperation during the coming harvest.

Mr. Lawson

As was announced by my hon. Friend on 30th April in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for St. Albans (Mr. Dumpleton), German prisoners of war working long hours in the harvest will qualify for the special supplementary ration, in the same way as they did last year. In addition, in future, all German working prisoners of war will receive pay for all hours worked instead of a limited daily rate and will, subject to the availability of supplies and to a certificate of good work from their employers, qualify for a small issue of free cigarettes.

Mr. David Renton

Has it been explained to the prisoners of war that their production efforts in this country may have a beneficial effect upon the food situation in Germany, and, if not, will the Minister take steps to ensure that some such propaganda is used to improve their morale?

Mr. Lawson

That is a very important point which I will bear in mind. I will take what steps I can to have the matter impressed on those concerned.

Brigadier Mackeson

In view of the great importance of this question, will the Minister consider making a rather more detailed statement?

Mr. Skeffington-Lodge

Does the Minister realise that the wholehearted co-operation of these men is more likely to be forthcoming if they are given some assurance as to how long their future captivity here will last?

Viscount Hinchingbrooke

Will the Minister look into the question of allocating additional transport to prisoner of war camps in order to obviate long detours which have to be made and which result in the men working only six hours or less in a day?

Mr. Lawson

I am not aware of any detours of that description, but if the noble Lord has information on any particular case I shall be glad to take note of it.

Major Legge-Bourke

Arising from the original answer, may I ask the Minister whether the payment now to be made to prisoners of war represents practically all that is actually paid by the farmers for the labour?

Mr. Lawson

No, it is not.

Forward to