§ 74. Mr. Sorensenasked the Secretary of State for War the total amount received by the Government from farmers and from other employers, respectively, in payment for work performed by prisoners of war; the total cost of administration of prisoner-of-war camps and affairs; and whether arrangements will be made to increase the cash amounts paid to prisoners of war in this country.
§ Mr. J. FreemanIt is estimated that, after deduction of certain expenses, such as cost of transportation, arising out of their employment, the total receipts in respect of prisoner-of-war labour during 1947–48 will amount to £21,000,000—including about £14,000,000 in respect of prisoners working in agriculture. The expenses in question do not include the cost of pay, maintenance and administration of the prisoners: such costs are brought to account under many different Votes and the total expenditure could not be ascertained without a considerable amount of labour. As regards the last part of the Question, my right hon. Friend hopes to make a statement shortly