§ 127. Major McCallumasked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board are obliged to employ German prisoners of war on the Loch Slay Scheme as they are unable to obtain sufficient Scottish labour; and if, in view of the fact that there are over 1, 000 unemployed Scotsmen registered in the neighbouring county of Argyll alone, he will take steps to draw the necessary labour for the Loch Sloy and other similar schemes from these unemployed Scotsmen.
§ Mr. Isaacs:Yes, Sir. The employment of German prisoners of war on the Loch Sloy scheme was authorised only after all suitable unemployed Scotsmen in the area had been considered for the work. About 300 British labourers are at present engaged on the scheme, and I understand that more will be employed when additional accommodation becomes available. If at any time it became practicable to replace the prisoners of war by suitable unemployed Scotsmen their withdrawal would be arranged.