§ 44. Mr. SNOWDENasked the President of the Local Government Board if, in the circular issued to local tribunals, it is mentioned that care must be taken to avoid anything of the nature of industrial compulsion; and, if so, what action he proposes to take upon the action of the Gravesend Local Authority and the Eccles Local Authority, both having, since the Military Service Act became law, dismissed from their employment men who have refused to enlist on the ground of conscientious objection?
§ Mr. LONGAs far as my information goes I have no authority to intervene in either of the cases referred to in the question.
§ Mr. SNOWDENDoes not the right hon. Gentleman regard these as instances of industrial compulsion?
§ Mr. LONGNo, Sir, not so far as my information goes. They appear to me to be cases similar to those which have arisen before and which will arise again, where local authorities part with their servants for proper reasons. I have no power in the matter. I do not think that they have any relation to the Military Service Act.