§ 54. Mr. OUTHWAITEasked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the case of Mr. William Halliwell, who received notice to appear before the Stoke-on-Trent Tribunal, on 12th July, to appeal as a conscientious objector, and who applied for an adjournment on the grounds that on 10th July he had met with a severe accident, breaking his collarbone, which application was supported by a medical certificate; and, in view of the fact that he was refused exemption, will he take steps to remedy this action on the part of the tribunal?
§ The PRESIDENT of the LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. Long)I am in communication with the claimant in this case. The proper course to be taken by a person who is aggrieved by the decision of a local tribunal is to appeal to the Appeal Tribunal.
§ 15. Mr. MORRELLasked the Secretary of State for War whether the scheme recently outlined by the Prime Minister for dealing with conscientious objectors is now in operation; and whether men who are already undergoing sentences for disobedience to military orders on conscientious grounds are being brought under it?
§ Mr. FORSTERYes, Sir, the scheme has been put in operation, and men who are already undergoing sentences for disobedience to military orders are in course of being brought under it.
§ Mr. MORRELLCan the hon. Gentleman say whether this regulation applies to men who are in detention as well as men who are in prison, and how many have been dealt with?
§ Major HUNTCan the hon. Gentleman Say whether it would not be possible to avoid punishing conscientious objectors any more by sending them to Germany with Lord Haldane as Bear Leader to introduce them to the Kaiser.
§ Mr. FORSTERI think that the regulation applies to men in prison only, and not to men in detention.
§ Mr. MORRELLWill any steps be taken to see that men who are now in detention have the same opportunity as men who are in prison, seeing that the difference between the two forms of punishment is really technical?
§ Mr. FORSTERI believe the intention is that it should be fairly administered, and that no conscientious objector shall be damnified.
§ Mr. FORSTERI cannot say.