§ 101. Mr. R. A. Butlerasked the Minister of Agriculture how long he contemplates being able to rely on prisoners of war to supplement the labour force in agricultural districts.
§ Mr. CollickThe retention of German prisoners in this country is not solely an agricultural matter but is concerned with questions of national and international policy. As my right hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs has stated today, in reply to another Question on the Order Paper, a number of non-Nazi prisoners of war are being repatriated to meet particular requirements in Germany. My right hon. Friend fully appreciates the importance of the matter to which the right hon. Member refers but regrets that he cannot at this stage indicate the length of the period for which German prisoners will be available for agricultural work.