HC Deb 18 November 1948 vol 458 cc59-60W
Sir R. Glyn

asked the Minster of Labour how many Poles remain unemployed; how many of these have failed more than twice to retain position found for them; will steps be taken in such cases to transfer these Poles either to Poland or elsewhere; and what is the monthly cost of maintaining unemployed Poles now that the Resettlement Corps has been disbanded.

Mr. Isaacs

The Polish Resettlement Corps has not yet been disbanded but at the end of October it had been reduced to about 20,000 men and the reduction will continue as rapidly as circumstances permit. No information is available regarding the number of Poles who have failed more than twice to retain employment found for them on leaving the Corps, or as to the cost of maintaining former members of the Corps during periods of unemployment. These men now form part of the ordinary industrial community and when they lose their jobs they are entitled to claim National Insurance Benefit or National Assistance, subject to the usual rules. Since the Corps was instituted, over 18,000 of its members have emigrated or been repatriated on a voluntary basis, but I should like to make it clear that there can be no question of requiring a former member of the Corps to return to Poland merely because he is unemployed through no fault of his own.