asked the Minister of Agriculture how many German prisoners of war were employed on harvest work in September, 1946; and how many he anticipates will be available for harvest work in September, 1947.

Some 145,000 prisoners of war were working in agriculture in September, 1946. Prisoners are being repatriated at the rate of 15,000 a month, but, while I cannot give precise figures, I expect that the numbers available over the 1947 harvest period will still be substantial, since agriculture will be accorded the highest priority when the prisoners then remaining in the country arc allocated for work.

Can the Minister say what exactly is meant by the phrase, "the numbers will still be substantial"? Could he interpret that a little more closely? Will they be approximately the same number as last September?

How can there be the same number as last September if they are being repatriated at the rate of 15,000 a month?

That is what I am seeking to find out.

But what is really implied is that we hope that approximately the same number of German prisoners will be available for agriculture as were available in the last harvest.

Mr. Baldwin:

Does not the Minister consider that it is about time that prisoners of war were treated as human beings and not as slaves, and if that were so better work would be got from them?

Most of those who employ them treat them as human beings.