HC Deb 07 April 1949 vol 463 cc2202-3
50 and 52. Mr. Odey

asked the Minister of Labour (1) whether, in view of the extensive and persistent damage to gates and fences on the farms in the neighbourhood of the Displaced Persons' Camp at Full Sutton, York, he will instruct the camp commander to take the necessary disciplinary action against those displaced persons who are responsible for this damage.

(2) whether he is aware that extensive damage is being caused to fences and gates by the displaced persons stationed at the camp at Full Sutton, Yorkshire; and whether he will take steps to see that this damage is fully made good.

Mr. Isaacs

I am having inquiries made, and will write to the hon. Member.

Mr. Odey

Would the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that the behaviour of some of these displaced persons is causing grave disquiet in the rural areas? If the right hon. Gentleman cannot control their behaviour cannot he arrange to deport them?

Mr. Isaacs

Would it not be as well for the hon. Gentleman to get information before he makes an accusation? My information is that, prima facie, there is no case against these people. It is not right that if any damage is caused the blame for it should be put immediately upon these poor people.

Colonel Stoddart-Scott

How long on the average are these people kept waiting in these camps before they go out to industry?

Mr. Isaacs

These are mainly people who are actually working. There are a very few of them in the camps who are not doing so. Once they get here, they are sent from the holding camps to the working camps, and they go to work immediately.

Mr. Odey

Is the Minister aware that I would not make suggestions of this kind unless I had evidence upon which to make them?

Mr. Isaacs

It would be much more helpful if the hon. Gentleman, when he had evidence, had sent it to me, so that I could investigate it, instead of his making a wide allegation.

Hon. Members

Withdraw.