§ 59. Mr. ROWNTREEasked the Prime Minister whether he is now in a position to say whether Rendal Wyatt, a graduate of Cambridge University, was punished during his stay in the military prison at Harwich Circular Redoubt for his refusal to undertake military duties, by being placed for a certain length of time in a dark cell in irons; whether, although Wyatt was undergoing a sentence of twenty-eight days' detention, he has now been sent to France; and, if so, whether he can state what military duties he will be expected to undertake there?
§ Mr. TENNANTRendal Wyatt was awarded forty-eight hours cells on 28th April, and seventy-two hours cells on 1st May. The cell was not dark nor was Wyatt put in irons. It is not the case, I am informed, that Wyatt was awarded a sentence of twenty-eight days' detention. He went to France on the 8th May with No. 2 Company Non-Combatant Corps. In France this company will be employed on various forms of unskilled work, but will not be employed in the firing line.
§ Mr. MORRELLWere any of the men who were sent with Wyatt members of a Non-Combatant Corps, or were they men who were sentenced to imprisonment?
§ Mr. TENNANTI cannot answer that without notice.
§ Mr. HOGGECan my right hon. Friend say whether this is really useful work on which to occupy a graduate of Cambridge University?
§ Mr. TENNANTIf the person in question was awarded to be a non-combatant by the tribunal it is quite proper to put him to non-combatant work.