HC Deb 22 June 1916 vol 83 cc490-2

Whereupon Mr. DEPUTY-SPEAKER, pursuant to the Order of the House of the 22nd February, proposed the Question, "That this House do now adjourn."

Mr. BARNES

I desire to ask the Under-Secretary a question of which I have given him notice. It is in reference to a report current in the Lobbies to-night that four men in France have been sentenced to death. These men are stated to be conscientious objectors, and there is a very general feeling of resentment or alarm that after the many statements which have been made from the Front Bench in regard to the treatment of these men and the promises which have been made about their being turned over to the civil power by the military, and the assurances that these men would not be sent to France at all—it is somewhat alarming that a report of this sort should be current. I cannot believe it is true, and I merely raise the question now to give the right hon. Gentleman an, opportunity of assuring the House that this particular report is not true. I hope he will also give an assurance that something will be done by which public feeling may be allayed in regard to this matter.

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Mr. Tennant)

Many rumours with regard to the treatment of conscientious objectors have been circulated, and the great majority of them are untrue. This is only, I assume, one of those. When I say that I assume, I have no information on the subject. As my right hon. Friend will realise, I have had no opportunity of ascertaining anything of the kind. I can assure my right hon. Friend that I believe it to be wholly untrue, and I shall be very glad when I have had time to investigate the question to give full information to my right hon. Friend and to the House. I can assure my right hon. Friend that there is no wish on behalf of the military authorities that they should treat conscientious objectors in any other way than other soldiers. They are soldiers. They are handed over to us as soldiers, and we must treat them as such. [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh, oh!"]

Mr. WHITEHOUSE

Are you going to shoot them?

Mr. TENNANT

They are handed over to the military authorities as soldiers. There is no option on the part of the military authorities to treat them in any other way than as soldiers. If my hon. Friend, who seems to be excited over that statement, really takes any other view, I should like to hear what it is.

Mr. WHITEHOUSE

I will tell you when I get the chance.

Mr. TENNANT

It is quite obvious—

Mr. WHITEHOUSE

What about your promises?

Mr. TENNANT

It is quite obvious that they must be treated as soldiers. It is quite true that we have given promises in relation to this matter—

Mr. WHITEHOUSE

Carry them out!

Mr. TENNANT

Because it is impossible that desertion in the face of the enemy can occur in regard to non-combatants. They are not in the face of the enemy; therefore they cannot be treated in any other way than as persons who are not in the face of the enemy. I can assure my right hon. Friend who has put the question that there is no intention of dealing with them in any way harshly, and that there will be no question of their being sentenced to death.

Mr. WHITEHOUSE

May I—

It being Half-past Eleven of the clock, Mr. DEPUTY - SPEAKER adjourned the House without Question put, pursuant to the Standing Order.

Adjourned accordingly at Half after Eleven o'clock till Monday next, 26th June, pursuant to the Order of the House of the 22nd February last.