§ 58. Mr. Skeffington-Lodgeasked the Minister of Labour whether, owing to a 1083 considerable number of prisoners of war skilled in industries in which there is a shortage of British manpower having been repatriated to unemployment in Germany, when they were anxious to stay and help this country's export drive, he will revise the present regulations, which only allow of prisoners of war remaining in Britain in the category agricultural employment.
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsNo, Sir. I hope that the efforts being made to increase the skilled labour force in those crafts where it is deficient will prove successful, without the retention, in a civilian capacity, of German prisoners of war at present in this country. Furthermore, I understand that there is a demand for men in most skilled trades in Germany itself.