asked the Secretary of State for War whether any arrangements are being made, as in the last war, for Ger- man prisoners to be hired out for manual labour on estates and farms, or by contractors for works of afforestation, agricultural operations, land drainage, road making, etc.; and whether suitable prisoners' camps will be organised for these purposes in various parts of the country?

No arrangements of this kind have yet been made, but the matter will be kept under review.

Is it not a fact that we still have a million workers in this country who are out of work, and should they not have the first consideration?

Viscountess Astor:

Have the Government any plan to make it compulsory for conscientious objectors to work on farms? It was very successful in the last war, except that they would not milk the cows on Sundays.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider taking powers to compel landowners to work on the farms?