HC Deb 28 June 1916 vol 83 cc824-5
23. Mr. SNOWDEN

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if a conscientious objector named Arthur Slater is detained in the military prison at St. Alban's; if so, what is the sentence he is serving; by what Court he has been sentenced; what is his present state of health; when will he be allowed a visit; and why is he not given the benefit of the Army Order of 25th May last?

Mr. TENNANT

I fear that I have nothing to add to what I said on the 26th June, except that if he is a soldier in detention the Army Order in question is inapplicable to his case.

41. Mr. KING

asked whether four conscientious objectors, named Hayward, Bishop, Reccord, and Fromow, have been for more than six weeks at Shoreham Camp, and have during that time refused to obey orders; why have they not been court-martialled; why were they removed on 23rd June to Seaford Camp; whether it is intended to send them to France; and, if so, whether they will be allowed the usual five-days' leave before going abroad?

Mr. TENNANT

Perhaps my hon. Friend will be good enough to give me the regiment and regimental number of the men mentioned in the question, so that I may be able to trace them.

42. Mr. KING

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that many conscientious objectors who have been refused exemption by the tribunals have had testimony borne to their genuine convictions and courage by commandants, governors, commissioned and non-commissioned officers, and men; and whether, in the case of men who are more than once court-martialled or tried as conscientious objectors, he will order that such testimony shall be taken and considered by the Court?

Mr. TENNANT

Perhaps my hon. Friend will be good enough to wait until the Prime Minister makes the statement he is proposing to make. I trust that this will cover the points put forward in this question.

The following question appeared on the Notice Paper in the name of Mr. SNOWDEN:

54. To ask the Prime Minister if, in view of the number of cases of alleged brutal treatment by Army non-commissioned and commissioned officers of conscientious objectors, supported by the evidence of the victims and witnesses, and the repeated refusal of the War Office to have an independent inquiry made into the allegations, he will grant such an inquiry into a few selected cases which can be supplied to him?

Mr. SNOWDEN

I have been asked to postpone this question until to-morrow on condition that the Prime Minister will then make his promised statement about conscientious objectors. That, I understand, is the condition?

The PRIME MINISTER

I hope so, at any rate.

Mr. MORRELL

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether his statement will be in such a form as will allow discussion?

The PRIME MINISTER

Not discussion at the moment, but eventually discussion.

Questions Nos. 62, 63, 64, and 65 standing in the name of Mr. ROWNTREE, were also postponed till to-morrow.