Oral Answers to Questions — Prisoners of War – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 11 March 1947.
Mr Sidney Shephard
, Newark
12:00,
11 March 1947
asked the Secretary of State for War how many German prisoners of war have volunteered to remain in this country after their normal repatriation date.
Mr Frederick Bellenger
, Bassetlaw
Eight hundred and nineteen, Sir.
Mr Sidney Shephard
, Newark
Could the right hon. Gentleman say whether these German prisoners are to be employed on the land; and if so, are they to be billeted on farmers, or will they be kept in camps?
Mr Frederick Bellenger
, Bassetlaw
I have not that information available at the moment. I was merely applying myself to the Question which the hon. Gentleman put down on the Order Paper. I will endeavour to obtain that information for him if he will put down a Question.
Viscount Hinchingbrooke
, Dorset Southern
Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that German prisoners of war are fully acquainted with the present economic state of Germany; and, having regard to the needs of agricultural production in this country, will he ascertain whether, in view of those circum- stances, a great many more prisoners would not elect to stay in this country?
Mr Frederick Bellenger
, Bassetlaw
I think the German prisoners of war are fully informed on that subject from correspondence they receive from their relatives and others at home.
Mr Richard Stokes
, Ipswich
Will my right hon. Friend assure the House that these men who do volunteer are paid the full rate for the job and are not engaged under the slave conditions of the remaining prisoners of war?
Sir Martin Lindsay
, Solihull
Does the Minister not think that this very disappointing number, 800, is only to be expected in view of the fact that he offers them no inducement whatever to stay in this country, but merely gives them the option of doing so if they want to?
Mr Richard Stokes
, Ipswich
May I have an answer to my question, Mr. Speaker?
Mr Frederick Bellenger
, Bassetlaw
I should have thought the option of staying in this country was some inducement, particularly in view of the circumstances referred to by the noble Lord the Member for South Dorset (Viscount Hinchingbrooke).
Mr Samuel Silverman
, Nelson and Colne
Are we to under stand from my right hon. Friend's first reply that German prisoners of war who wish to remain in this country have only to elect to do so, and are allowed to do so? In that case, why has that class of person priority over other classes in Europe, who are now being directed to work under German law and under German leaders in Germany?
Mr Douglas Clifton Brown
, Hexham
The original Question asked how many German prisoners of war have volunteered to remain here. We are going now rather far from that original Question.
Mr Richard Stokes
, Ipswich
May I have an answer to my question?
Mr Douglas Clifton Brown
, Hexham
The original Question asked how many. The supplementary questions are going far beyond the original Question
Mr Richard Stokes
, Ipswich
I beg to give notice I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.
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