§ Mr. Quibellasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that there is widespread complaint of the indolence of Italian prisoners of war detailed to assist with harvesting; that prisoners cause wanton damage by trampling and sleeping among crops; that guards are insufficient either to secure public safety or reasonable work from the prisoners; and will he arrange for proper disciplinary steps to be taken?
§ Sir J. GriggThe answer to all parts of my hon. Friend's Question except the last is "No. Sir." Guards are not always provided if the number of prisoners concerned is small. In these cases the employers have been informed that they should make any complaints about the prisoners' behaviour, in particular if they have been slack, to the camp authorities who are then able to take appropriate disciplinary action.