§ 86. Mr. PETOasked the Home Secretary by many of the leaders of the Anti-Conscriptionist movement who have been sentenced by courts-martial to terms of 713 imprisonment have since been released; whether these men of military age have restarted their efforts to break down the Military Service Act immediately on release; whether he is aware that Clifford Allen, the chairman of the "No-Conscription Fellowship," urged men of military age at a meeting at 186, Bishopsgate, on 8th April, to defy the Military Service Act, and promised assistance to all who were absentees, and that Clifford Allen was sentenced to a term of imprisonment; will he say whether he is now at liberty; and will he say whether he addressed a meeting at the offices of the National Council against Conscription, at 22, Bride Lane, E.C., on Tuesday evening, the 20th instant, at six o'clock?
§ Mr. TENNANTThe answer to the first past of the question is that there have been no releases, so far as I am aware, and the second part does not therefore arise. I am informed that Mr. Clifford Allen did urge men to defy the Military Service Act, and that he promised assistance as stated. Mr. Clifford Allen has not been sentenced. He is still at liberty, but is due to report for service on the 30th June. The meeting of the executive committee took place from 4.30 to 6.0 on the date mentioned.