Mr. Murrayasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport if he is aware that, owing to the recent snowstorm in the Tow Law district, 200 miners were unable to get to work at the neighbouring collieries, and if, in view of the shortage of labour in the district, he has considered utilising German prisoners of war on keeping these roads open and thus allowing our men to produce the coal so much required at the present time.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerDuring the recent cold weather prisoners of war were extensively used on the clearance of snow. I understand that, in the Tow Law district, the state of the roads made it impossible to transport the prisoners to the job. I am, however, making further local inquiries and will communicate with my hon. Friend.