HC Deb 08 March 1916 vol 80 cc1517-9
44. Major NEWMAN

asked whether, in view of the exhibition of lack of manhood and cowardice displayed before local tribunals by young men seeking escape from military service on conscientious grounds, he will censor in the public Press all reports of such exhibitions?

Sir W. BYLES

Before the right hon. Gentleman answers that question, may I ask if the hon. and gallant Gentleman has not mistaken conscience for cowardice?

The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Herbert Samuel)

Sometimes "conscience makes cowards of us all." Although the prominence given to those cases in the Press is out of all proportion to their number or intrinsic importance, and can hardly fail, therefore, to produce a false impression, there are serious objections to prohibiting the publication of the reports.

Mr. WHITEHOUSE

Does my right hon. Friend accept the innuendo contained in this question as correct?

Mr. SAMUEL

I am afraid it is correct, but I trust only in a small minority of these cases.

Mr. OUTHWAITE

Is the right hon. Gentleman's view of that minority due to the fact that he has no sympathy with the views of the early Christians?

46. Mr. WATT

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the fact that tribunals are in some instances refusing to treat as exceptions under the Military Service Act, 1916, the fourth of four sons in a family where already three are serving in the Army; and whether, in view of his pledge to the House on 5th January on the introduction of the Bill, he will take any action, by regulation or advice, to have his pledge fulfilled?

Mr. TENNANT

I must ask my hon. Friend to refer to the Prime Minister's speech on 5th January, in which it is made perfectly clear that the case he regarded as entitled to exemption is that of the man whose dependants would be deprived of their means of maintenance were he to be called up. It is the duty of the tribunals to decide whether this condition exists, and if an applicant is aggrieved by their decision he has the right of appeal.

Mr. WHITEHOUSE

Is it not a fact that in the speech from which the right hon. Gentleman has quoted the Prime Minister did not say that the Bill exempts the widow's son?

Mr. TENNANT

No, Sir.

69. Mr. EDMUND HARVEY

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the decision of certain local tribunals to exclude the public generally from all their sittings; whether this action has been taken in contravention of the instructions issued by the Board to tribunals; and whether he has been able to take any action in the matter?

Mr. HAYES FISHER

My right hon. Friend's attention has been drawn to a few cases in which tribunals are reported to have acted in this way, and he has communicated with them, pointing out that, under the Regulations governing the procedure of local tribunals, applications are to be heard in public, unless the tribunal in any particular case consider that any application or any part of the proceedings should be heard in private.