asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the German prisoners of war at Lambourn were given a holiday on Whit Monday, though agricultural labourers in the district were working on that day; and whether, in view of the demand for labour on the land at this time, he will arrange that full use shall be made of prisoner labour?

I regret that my inquiries are not yet complete, but I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the award of bars to the Distinguished Service Order, announced in the "Gazette" of 3rd June last on the recommendation of the Commander-in-Chief in Palestine, are immediate awards for specific acts of gallantry, or whether bars may now be awarded for distinguished service other than specific acts of gallantry?

The awards of the bar to the Distinguished Service Order as recommended by the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief in Palestine were in respect of services of high individual gallantry and courageous leading in action on the part of the individuals to whom award was made. A bar to the Distinguished Service Order is not awarded to an officer except as prescribed in the Statutes, i.e., for "an approved act of gallantry which, if he had not received the Order, would have entitled him to it."

asked the Home Secretary whether Bertram French, a conscientious objector formerly at Knutsford work centre, who attempted suicide on 8th March by cutting his throat, is now in a sane and healthy condition; where he is at present; and whether he will now be released?

This man is a patient in the Cheshire County Asylum at Macclesfield, and the responsibility for his detention as a lunatic rests with the Asylum Committee. I have made inquiry, and learn that he is still of unsound mind and a proper subject for detention. He is in fair bodily health.

asked the Home Secretary whether Charles Shaw, No. 5858, now an inmate in Wormwood Scrubs, has been allowed to appeal to the Central Tribunal as he wishes to do work of national importance; and whether he has been accepted as a genuine conscientious objector by the Central Tribunal?

The Central Tribunal have recently reconsidered this case, and have decided that the man should be treated as having a conscientious objection to all military service. He has accepted work under the Home Office Committee, and will be sent to work as soon as possible.

asked the Home Secretary if he can state the circumstances under which letters of naturalisation were granted to Caroline Haneman in October, 1914, then a German subject residing near Malmesbury, Wiltshire; and by whom the necessary recommendations were signed?

The then Secretary of State was satisfied, after careful inquiry, that the case was one in which a certificate of naturalisation might properly be granted. The applicant has resided in this country since 1890. The declarations in support of the application were made by four natural-born British subjects, who were trustworthy and of good character. It would be contrary to the ordinary practice to give their names, and I do not think there is any reason to depart from it in this case.