RECONSTRUCTION IN BRITAIN

Southland Times, Issue 25669, 11 May 1945, Page 8

RECONSTRUCTION IN BRITAIN

GERMAN PRISONERS TO BE USED (8.0.W.) RUGBY, May 9. To assist its building programme the Government has decided to use German prisoners of war in reasonable numbers, the Minister of Works, Mr Duncan Sandys, told Captain Germans (Conservative) in the House of Commons. The Minister added that these men would be employed in the first place on roadmaking and on preparation for other civil engineering works. Asked whether the prisoners would also be used in clearing bomb sites in London he replied: “They will, if necessary, but I prefer to concentrate on other works I had in view.” REGULATIONS REVOKED In a statement about the revocation of the Defence Regulations, Mr Herbert Morrison said he was glad to be able to announce that a large number of defence regulations had been revoked by Order-in-Council today. Five special codes and regulations, including the Fire Guard Regulations, had been revoked entirely, as well as parts of other special codes. Among those revoked were those which contained exceptional provisions relating to trade disputes, regulations relating to the systematic publication of matter calculated to foment opposition to the war effort and those empowering the Home Secretary to restrict the movement and activities of suspected persons. At the beginning of this week the release of all persons detained under the Defence Regulations had been authorized, with the exception of one alien who was to be deported and who was being detained temporarily under a defence order. Other regulations which had been revoked included those dealing with the publication of reports likely to cause alarm and despondency and those giving special powers for the prohibition of processions and meetings. It would, of course, be clear, said Mr Morrison, that the end of the fighting in Europe was not the end of the war and that a number of regulations imposed, whether for security or other reasons, must be retained until the war against Japan had been brought to a successful conclusion. There also remained for consideration the question of such controls as would be required during the transitional period to ensure the best use of available supplies and services in the national interest. A Bill which would give the House an opportunity for full consideration of this question was about to be introduced.