HC Deb 16 February 1948 vol 447 c829
52. Mr. Bossom

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will instruct either commandants at prisoner-of-war camps, or those who have the right of moving prisoners of war from one billet to another, to give the farmers, to whom these prisoners of war are allocated, full notice before they are suddenly withdrawn, so that other arrangements can be made.

Mr. T. Williams

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Newbury (Mr. Hurd) on 2nd February.

Mr. Bossom

Is the Minister aware that this situation is continuing, and that it is very difficult for the farmer to run a farm if his employees are taken away from him without any notice being given? Cannot the Minister do something about it?

Mr. Williams

If the hon. Member reads the answer to which I have referred, he will see I have indicated that notice is given in every case—particularly is this so in regard to Kent, where one month's notice is usually given.

Mr. Bossom

I am afraid that the Minister must have been misinformed. My information has been given to me by a number of farmers in Kent, and I am prepared to let the right hon. Gentleman have it if he wishes.

Mr. Williams

It is our wish that farmers should always be given proper notice.