§ 58. Mr. ANDERSONasked the President of the Local Government Board whether he will order an inquiry into the cases of Messrs. Narraway, Alexander, Sparkes, and Armfield who, at the Purley (Surrey) Local Tribunal, asked for exemption from military service on grounds of conscience, but express their willingness to do work of national importance; whether he is aware that the tribunal ruled that their willingness to do work of national importance proved that their claim respecting military service was insincere and refused exemption; and, having regard to the provisions of the Act of Parliament and the policy of the Government, will he say what action he will take?
§ 59. Mr. HUDSONasked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the case of John Mitchell, of 232, Ladykirk Road, Newcastle-on-Tyne, an accounts clerk, in the employ of the corporation, the circumstances being that Mr. Mitchell applied for absolute exemption from the Military Service Act on the grounds of conscience; that the chairman admitted the sincerity of his conviction, but said that the tribunal was not at liberty to grant absolute exemption; and that a copy of the Act was procured, when the chairman admitted that the applicant was correct, but said that his conscience would not allow him to grant exemption, with which the tribunal agreed; and whether he will order 1220 a rehearing of this case on the grounds of evident misinterpretation of the letter and spirit of the Act?
§ Mr. LONGIn reply to this question, and to that of the hon. Member for Newcastle-on-Tyne which follows it, my attention had not previously been called to either of the cases, but I may point out that if any applicant is aggrieved by the decision of the local tribunal his proper remedy is to appeal to the Appeal Tribunal.
§ Sir W. BYLESYou cannot always get leave.