asked the Minister of Labour why it is considered necessary that Poles who have volunteered to work in the mines should be screened by an examining committee composed partly of members of the mineworkers' union, when they have already been screened by the Army authorities; and why they are questioned about their political opinions by these committees.

Any applicant for employment should be interviewed in order to decide whether he is suitable. In the case of Polish volunteers for coal-mining, an appropriate form of panel appeared to be one composed of two representatives of employers and two of employed. This is an entirely different matter from screening in the military or political sense. The House will be pleased to learn that of the first 300 men interviewed only 10 were rejected as unsuitable.

Is the Minister aware that Mr. Homer has publicly stated that the Miners' Union intend to examine the political views of every Polish applicant who desires to enter the mines; and has that the approval of the Government or not?

I should have thought the last sentence contained in my answer was sufficient reassurance to the House. Of the 300 men interviewed only 10 were rejected as unsuitable.

On what grounds were they rejected?

May I not have an answer to my last question? Does the Govern- ment approve of these Poles being rejected by the Miners' Union for that reason?

Poles who volunteer for mining go before a panel in order to see whether or not they will make suitable miners. It is on those grounds that they are examined. I have reported the results to the House.

Will my hon. Friend ensure that British workers are free to work with whom they wish?

Will the hon. Gentleman say whether any of them were rejected on political grounds?

I am informed that of the 10 who were rejected as unsuitaable, some were rejected on account of eyesight, some on account of chest trouble, and some on account of foot trouble.

Any political?

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that one of the Polish groups contained at least one man who is on the list of war criminals of three Powers? Does he not consider that, in those circumstances, it is perfectly proper that there should be adequate political screening?

The question of political screening is a matter for the military, and it is assumed that when the men are going into the Resettlement Corps they are screened for political reasons. This question, therefore, really does not arise.

In view of the evasive answer, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment.