German Prisoner-of-War Labour

HC Deb 15 November 1945 vol 415 cc2489-90W

Captain Drayson

asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that drainage boards in the West Riding of Yorkshire have been invited to make application for German prisoner-of-war labour, which they were informed would be available from 15th November, of which 100–150 will be supplied from the prisoner of war camp at Skipton; that this is inconsistent with his letter of 6th November to the Town Clerk of Skipton, reference 11a/640/717, to the effect that the labour would not be available until the end of January, 1946; and will he see that labour for building houses is made available forthwith.

Mr. Bevan

The answer to the first part of the question is "No, Sir." Separate allocations of prisoners of war have been made for various services, including agriculture and housing site preparation. The allocation for housing is at present being wholly used, and prisoners can only be transferred to new jobs as they are freed from completed jobs. I am, however, in consultation with my colleagues exploring the possibility of making available a greater number of prisoners for housing purposes.