§ 45. Mr. KINGasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the sentences of death passed on conscientious objectors in France were widely known by private persons in this country before they were known to the War Office, and that this information was regarded as untrue, because legally impossible, by the representative of the War Office in this House; and whether he can make some statement to reassure the House that the Intelligence Department of the War Office is promptly and correctly informed of events relating to the Army in France?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Asquith)The first part of the question seems to suggest, what is not the case, that these men were sentenced to death and then. after an interval, reprieved, whereas, in point of fact, the sentence was commuted to penal servitude and both sentence and commutation were promulgated together. It is quite possible that the news of this promulgation reached private persons in this country before the War Office, as the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief has full power to confirm sentences of courts- 184 martial, and is under no obligation to refer cases to the War Office unless he is in doubt on any point. After promulgation of sentence the proceedings of all courts-martial are sent to the Judge Advocate-General for review. I see no reason to interfere with the existing arrangements.
§ Mr. KINGDoes the Prime Minister quite realise the point of my question which has been rather overlooked? May I point out that we had a statement about steel helmets in the House on one day when they were said to be sufficient, and a few days later it was said that they were not—
§ Mr. MORRELLHas it not been stated again and again by the right hon. Gentleman's colleague in this House that it was impossible that the death sentence could be imposed? Can the right hon. Gentleman say how his colleague came to mislead the House as he did?
§ The PRIME MINISTERWhat I believe the right hon. Gentleman said was that it would not necessarily be carried out.
§ Mr. MORRELLIf the Prime Minister will refer to the speech made by the President of the Local Government Board, on the 22nd March, in this House, he will see what the right hon. Gentleman said. When asked whether the death penalty would be imposed upon a conscientious objector, he replied, "Most certainly not."