§ Mr. WIGNALLasked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that a number of German prisoners are employed at Port Talbot on the construction of the new steel works while at the same time local workmen are unemployed and receiving unemployment donation benefit; if he will say whether a communication 2111W has been received from the local advisory board requesting that the German prisoners be removed and local labour employed; and, if so, what action he proposes to take in the matter?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI am making inquiries in this case, and will let the hon. Member know the result. The policy of the Government with regard to the employment of German prisoners in this country remains, as I have explained on more than one occasion recently, and I am doing my best to carry it into effect.
§ Mr. W. R. SMITHasked the Minister of Labour how many German prisoners are at present employed in agriculture, and in which areas is such labour being engaged?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLTwenty-five thousand six hundred and twenty-six German combatant prisoners of war were engaged on agricultural work on the 15th instant in Great Britain. They are employed in almost every county in England and Wales. Comparatively small numbers have been employed in Scotland and these are being withdrawn. They have never been employed in Ireland.