Prisoners of War

HC Deb 29 July 1946 vol 426 cc83-4W

78. Mr. Stubbs

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware of the trouble farmers are having to get German prisoners of war to work; if he will ask for a report from the W.A.E.Cs. regarding the matter; and if he will state the Government's policy to obtain the necessary manpower for the industry when the German prisoners have returned home.

Mr. Collick

My Department is in constant touch with war agricultural executive committees concerning the employment of prisoners of war, and my right hon. Friend is fully aware that difficulties do arise. Committees have been instructed to do all they can to make the employment arrangements effective. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War also recently announced certain measures to encourage the output of prisoners. As to the last part of the Question the policy of the Government is to create conditions in agriculture which will enable an adequate number of workers to be recruited by normal means, but special arrangements to augment the permanent agricultural labour force will no doubt have to be continued for some time.

Mr. Gooch

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will withdraw the prisoner-of-war labour from the county of Lincoln, in view of the fact that the National Union of Agricultural Workers and the National Farmers' Union have failed to reach the agreement on piece rates.

Mr. T. Williams

No, Sir, but I am giving urgent attention to the position in Lincolnshire arising from the failure of the two sides of the industry to reach an agreement on piece rates.

Mr. Watkins

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of prisoners of war who have been made available for employment in the county of Radnor during the last four months; and whether he is satisfied that prisoners are not being used to the detriment of land girls or other British labour.

Mr. T. Williams

The average number of prisoners of war available for agricultural work in the county of Radnor in the four months ended 30th June, 1946, was 178. This was a much smaller number than in 1945, and I have no reason to think that prisoners are being employed in this county to the detriment of members of the Women's Land Army or other British labour.