HC Deb 17 October 1944 vol 403 cc2228-9W
Sir R. Glyn

asked the Secretary of State for War how many German prisoners of war are now in this country; what arrangements are being made for their employment; and whether special steps will be taken to ascertain how many are trained in forestry work since that category of trained employment is not one of those on the list and there is ample scope for such employment in the woodlands of this country.

Mr. Chorlton

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any of the German prisoners of war brought to this country are to be employed here.

Sir J. Grigg

There are 95,000 German prisoners in this country and arrangements have so far been made to employ 17,000 of them. 400 are doing forestry work now, and when further demands for this work arise steps will be taken to find more who are trained in forestry.

Mr. Chorlton

asked the Secretary of State for War who is responsible for the Italian prisoners in this country; who arranges for the various work they are supposed to do and sees that it is done.

Sir J. Grigg

My right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service is responsible for allocating Italian prisoners of war to the various Departments which employ them. The War Department is responsible for their administration and discipline. Where there are large parties working together a military escort sees to it that they do a fair day's work. Otherwise they are supervised by their employers.

Sir T. Cook

asked the Secretary of State for War under what circumstances Italian prisoners of war have been removed from camp into private billets in the town of Fakenham, Norfolk; and how long this arrangement is to continue.

Sir J. Grigg

These Italians had to be moved from their camp in order to make room for German prisoners. The accommodation into which they were to move was not ready and for a week or to days some 20 of them were housed in previously requisitioned property. There was no question of billeting.

Mr. E. P. Smith

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that Italian prisoners of war in Kent are making shopping and other household baskets of willow wood and reeds and are peddling them locally at high prices, while the Kentish basket makers are prevented by Government restrictions from carrying on their trade; and whether he will take steps to reverse this process.

Sir J. Grigg

I have been asked to reply. Prisoners are allowed to make baskets and sell them provided that the owners of the osiers and reeds do not object to the prisoners collecting them, that the prices they charge for the baskets conform to the statutory prices and that they comply with the relevant Statutory Rules and Orders. The proceeds of the sales go to the prisoners' welfare fund. The welfare fund pays the individuals such sums as are agreed between the Camp Leader and the Camp Commandant. In this case, when the Commandant learned that prisoners on working parties were cutting willows without consent, he issued orders that this should cease.

Sir R. Blair

asked the Secretary of State for War why he is treating Italians engaged on essential work in the London area as prisoners of war.

Sir J. Grigg

Although the Italian Government are co-belligerent in the common war effort members of the Italian Armed Forces captured in arms against us remain prisoners of war.