HC Deb 29 January 1942 vol 377 cc938-9W
Sir R. Glyn

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is now in a position to explain the terms and conditions under which Italian prisoners of war can be employed on farms in this country, especially on the following points: who bears the cost of transport to and from work if the men come from a camp; what are the conditions as regards lodging at farms: are rations provided by the military authorities; under whose control are the men; and who is responsible for their movements?

Mr. Hudson

Italian prisoners of war may be employed in gangs from the prisoner of war camps or individually from certain hostels or to live in on farms. A farmer wishing to employ prisoners under either scheme must apply-to his county war agricultural executive committee, and for the present, prisoners will be available only in the vicinity of the camps or hostels. The prisoners at camps are intended mainly for employment on gang work. Those at the hostels are mainly for individual employment. Where prisoners work from a camp the farmer is required to pay the Executive Committee for their services at the rate of 1s. per hour (1s. 3d. per hour for overtime) unless a contract rate has been fixed for the job. The Executive Committee is authorised to bear the reasonable cost of transport of prisoners from the camp to the farm. The conditions governing the employment of prisoners living in on farms and in hostels are set out in Leaflets P.W.1 and P.W.2, copies of which I am sending to my hon Friend.

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