§ Mr. HAYDAYasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he can state the wage and other conditions governing the employment of German prisoners employed on farms in this country; and whether such wages and conditions are less favourable than" those of civilian agricultural labourers?
§ Mr. PRATTThe Regulations governing the employment of prisoners of war on the land provide that as far as possible the conditions of their employment shall be similar to those of civilian agricultural labourers. The wages paid by farmers for the services of the prisoners are the full local rates subject to certain abatements in cases where the farmer has to be responsible for the guarding of the men or for fetching them daily from the depot. Where the farmer is responsible for the guarding of the prisoners an abatement of 4d. per day per prisoner may be allowed. Where prisoners are fetched over one mile by the farmer, an additional abatement of 4d. a day may be allowed. As regards overtime the rate is the full local rate for overtime work.