§ 74. Mr. ALDENasked the Prime-Minister whether he is aware that a considerable number of conscientious objectors whose convictions have never been 1403 questioned or doubted are nevertheless passed by the tribunals for non-combatant service; that in the majority of cases this involves imprisonment; and whether he can see his way to consent to the appointment of a tribunal composed of people specially qualified to judge to deal with all the remaining cases of conscientious objectors?
§ The PRIME MINISTERParliament has enacted that the determination of these cases shall rest with the local tribunals, subject to the appeals provided for by the Military Service Acts. To transfer this duty to a new central body would require legislation. I doubt whether such legislation would be acceptable, especially, in view of the difficulty that would be experienced by such a central body in deciding, as a court of first instance, cases arising in all parts of the country.