HC Deb 11 March 1947 vol 434 cc147-8W
Sir R. Glyn

asked the Minister of Labour what steps his Department has taken to ascertain to what extent farmers in this country are anxious and willing to employ displaced persons with agricultural experience, now in camps in the British and U.S. zones of Germany and Austria, to replace German prisoners of war on repatriation.

Mr. Ness Edwards

The general question of the employment of displaced persons in agriculture will be the subject of consultations with the representatives of employers and workers in the industry. Meanwhile there are several thousands of Poles, with agricultural experience already in this country and available for employment.

Sir R. Glyn

asked the Minister of Labour what are the arrangements for ascertaining how many of the displaced persons, especially those formerly resident in the Baltic States, who are now in the British or U.S. zones, are skilled agriculturalists and are anxious to obtain suitable work in the United Kingdom; and what steps prospective employers in the United Kingdom should take to acquaint the Control Commission of their requirements.

Mr. Ness Edwards

As announced by the Prime Minister on 18th February, my right hon. Friend is setting up, in conjunction with my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, an organisation in the British zones of Germany and Austria for the classification and selection of displaced persons against opportunities of employment in this country. A farmer in need of an agricultural worker should not apply to the Control Commission for a displaced person but should notify his vacancy to the appropriate local office of the Ministry of Labour, which may be able to meet the need, if a British worker is not available, by submitting a Pole already in this country, in which case the question of importing a displaced person would not arise.