HC Deb 27 February 1947 vol 433 cc2278-9
54. Mr. Parkin

asked the Minister of Labour whether farmers who have accommodation can now be supplied with Polish labourers.

Mr. Ness Edwards

Yes, Sir. Within the next day or two, we are instructing our local offices that Polish workers may now be submitted to farmers who have accommodation for them if under the procedure agreed with the industry it is established that no suitable British worker is available. Certain questions about the tenure of employment of Poles who may be placed with farmers are still under discussion between the two sides of the industry, and the placing of Poles meanwhile will be without prejudice to the outcome of these discussions.

Mr. Gooch

Will the Minister insist that the Poles recruited for agriculture shall become employees of the war agriculture committees, who will place them according to the needs of individual farms and thus further safeguard the position of British farm workers?

Mr. Ness Edwards

This matter is still under discussion by both sides of the industry, and I would rather not commit myself at this stage.

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