§ 9. Mr. Heathcoat Amoryasked the Minister of Labour what action is being taken to hasten the absorption of the 29,800 men still in the Polish Resettlement Corps into productive employment.
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsWe have placed 67,000 in jobs. The remaining members of the Corps are being systematically interviewed and offered suitable employment. If they unreasonably refuse to take it, they are discharged from the Corps. The rate of placing at the moment is 500–600 a week and it is hoped to increase this.
Mr. AmoryDoes not the right hon. Gentleman find it rather difficult to reconcile the existence of nearly 30,000 men without productive employment with the continuing shortage of manpower in the basic industries?
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsNo, Sir, having regard to the fact that in the Polish Resettlement Corps there is a substantial number of rather elderly men and a lot of disabled men. Very many have never had any training for heavy manual employment. On the whole, the scheme is now going well.
§ Sir Ralph GlynCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the wives of some of these men are to be brought back from East Africa soon in order to enable them to return to Poland.
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsI understand that we have now almost finished that traffic and practically all have been brought back. I think the last shipload came last week.
§ Mr. CollinsCan my right hon. Friend say if there is any duration of time for which these men are allowed to remain in the Polish Resettlement Corps?
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsCertain pledges were given to the House at the time when we discussed the Bill relating to the matter. I think I may say that it is the Government's intention to wind up this Corps by the end of the year.
§ Mr. TolleyCan my right hon. Friend say how much longer these men will be allowed to remain in this country when they refuse to take any employment?
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsIf my hon. Friend reads the answer which I have given, he will see we are dealing with that matter.