§ 29. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Secretary of State for War how many Poles there are still in Scotland; where they are situated; how many of them have become naturalised British citizens; and how many of them, both naturalised and otherwise, are earning their own livings or are in productive employment, and in what kind of employment, respectively.
§ The Secretary of State for War (Mr. Bellenger)As the answer is rather long and contains a number of figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. HughesIs it not true that many of these Poles are living in this country, 1776 consuming without producing, and is it not right that they should be given the opportunity of earning their keep?
§ Mr. BellengerYes, Sir; I am afraid my hon. and learned Friend is right, and that some of them are living in this country without earning their keep; and we are endeavouring to alter that.
§ Following is the answer:
§ There are 32,350 Poles in Scotland for whom my Department is responsible. Apart from those awaiting repatriation the majority are in units of the Polish Resettlement Corps stationed in the following places: Alness, Banff, Budden, Carronbridge, Dallachy, Easthaven, Forres, Langholm, Paisley, Peterhead, Stirling, Winfield.
§ In addition there are relatively small units in a number of other places in Scotland. I understand from my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary that information as to the number of Poles who have become naturalised British citizens is not readily available. 4,285 Poles have been released from the Polish Resettlement Corps in Scotland in order to take up civil employment in Scotland and other parts of the United Kingdom. I am informed by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour that they are employed principally on agriculture, building and civil engineering, and in coal-mining. 2,143 Poles still in the Polish Resettlement Corps are on loan to farmers in Scotland.