HC Deb 19 November 1946 vol 430 cc663-4
17. Mr. Martin Lindsay

asked the Minister of Labour what steps are being taken to induce individual German prisoners of war working in the United Kingdom to defer their return to Germany.

The Minister of Labour (Mr. Isaacs)

I am informed by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War that while no special inducements are offered, prisoners, as their turn for repatriation comes, are normally given the opportunity of volunteering to stay for six months.

Mr. Lindsay

Does not the Minister appreciate that it is quite impossible to have a planned economy without being able to place labour where it is urgently needed, and that as it is impossible to direct British labour, the Government have no choice but to make much more use of foreigners?

Mr. Isaacs

I have answered the Question on the Order Paper, which shows that we have offered these men an opportunity to stay here for six months.