§ 10. Sir Henry Morris-Jonesasked the Minister of Labour how many European volunteer workers at Pool Park Camp, Ruthin, Denbighshire, run by the Young Men's Christian Association as an agricultural hostel, have recently refused all work offered them; what pay do they receive; what have they paid for their board and lodging; and what is the nationality of those who have refused to work.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour (Mr. Ness Edwards)There are at present five European volunteer workers of Polish-Ukrainian nationality who, since 27th May, have refused 1939 all agricultural work offered them locally on the ground that they are dissatisfied with living conditions at this Y.M.C.A. hostel. No pay or other allowances have been received by these men since 27th May, and the men concerned have not made any payment to the Y.M.C.A. for their board and lodging for this period. Our local officers are in consultation with the Police with the view to securing compliance with the conditions on which these five men were permitted to enter the United Kingdom.
§ Sir H. Morris-JonesIs it not time that the right hon. Gentleman reconsidered the terms and conditions of service of some of these men? Is it not the case that during last winter several of them were unemployed and were paid the full scale of agricultural wages for the whole winter? Why should they be paid the full scale of agricultural wages when they are unemployed?
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsMy view is that the Ukrainians whom we have recruited have proved to be some of the best workers we have had in this country from foreign parts. As to the second point about their being paid agricultural wages during periods of unemployment, these men are in the employment of the agricultural executive committee, and it is for that committee to determine the conditions under which wages are paid to them.
§ Sir H. Morris-JonesWhy should they be in a better position than unemployed British agricultural workers who are in similar circumstances?
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsIf the hon. Gentleman will give me further details about that matter I will look at it, but the present impression is that if these men are unemployed they receive nothing at all.