Wages (Hansard, 24 June 1947)

§ 32. Mr. McKinlay
asked the Secretary of State for War what hourly rate of wages is paid to his Department by the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board for the services of German prisoners of war at their Loch Sloy scheme; what proportion is paid per hour to the men concerned; what are the average weekly earnings of the men; and what amenities does his Department provide.

§ Mr. Bellenger
The rates charged for the services of prisoners of war are fixed by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Works. I understand that they are the rates which would be paid to British civilian workers engaged on the same type of work. The pay received by the prisoners is determined by their status as prisoners of war, not by reference to the charges made for their services. Under the arrangements hitherto in force, the average earnings of a prisoner engaged on skilled work would amount in a 48 hour working week to 15s., consisting of 6s. cash and 9s. bonus credit. The prisoners receive in kind all necessities such as accommodation, food, clothing, medical and hospital services. A canteen and normal recreational facilities are provided at the camp.

§ Mr. McKinlay
Is my right hon. Friend aware that the Hydro-Electric Board pay 2s. o½d. an hour, and the portion returned to the men in wages is three farthings an hour? Is he aware that in some weeks they may earn is. 6d.? Is it not the case that civilians in the Helensburgh district are not permitted to entertain these men, or take them on public service vehicles, or to the cinema?

§ Mr. Bellenger
In answer to the second part of my hon. Friend's supplementary question, I think he will be satisfied by my reply to a previous Question. In reply to the first part of his supplementary question, I have not worked out the exact amount the prisoners get per hour but merely answered the Question on the Paper.

Mr. Baldwin
Does not the Minister think it is about time that the whole rates of pay of prisoners of war were revised? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that on farms prisoners of war receive 8d. an hour overtime, while their colleagues get 2S. Id.?

§ Mr. Bellenger
Yes, Sir, and I have to recognise, as the House must, that there will come a time when it will not be a question of rates of pay for these prisoners of war, because they will have gone home.

§ Mr. McKinlay
I3 my right hon. Friend aware that in inclement weather they do not even receive three farthings an hour? Is this the best way to teach these people to adopt our mode of life?

§ Mr. Bellenger
I am doing what I can, and I think the House will agree with the announcements I have made from time to time to improve the lot of these prisoners of war.

§ Mr. Stokes
Is my right hon. Friend aware that the difference between the amount paid for the services of these men and the amount they receive is accounted for by the Chancellor, who expects to net £36 million this year as a result of their sweated labour?

§ Mr. Bellenger
That is the kind of question my hon. Friend should address to my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.