HC Deb 28 November 1916 vol 88 cc132-3
24. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Mr. Lloyd Howard Fox, who is connected with manufacturing puttees and holds contracts with the War Office, came before the local tribunal at Wellington, and appealed for absolute exemption on the ground of conscientious objection to join the Army or to engage in the production of material the object of which was-the taking of human life; and that the miliary representative intimated to the-tribunal that he had orders from the War Office to assent to the appeal on production of a certificate; will he say whether this man was exempted from combatant service and, if so, on what grounds; will he also say what certificate was referred to by the military representative; and whether the War Office gave any and, if so, what orders in respect to that certificate?

Mr. FORSTER

Mr. Lloyd Howard Fox,. who is stated to be a member of the-Society of Friends, applied on 14th March last to the Wellington local tribunal, and was granted a certificate of exemption from combatant service on the grounds that he was a member of the Friends Ambulance Unit. He produced a certificate of his membership of the unit signed by the chairman, and the military representative thereupon assented to the exemption from combatant service pursuant to general instructions given by the Army Council relating to members of the-Friends' Ambulance Unit. Messrs. Fox Brothers, Limited, of Wellington, hold contracts for puttees, but this gentleman is not one of the directors.

Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

Is it not a fact that the man admits that he is not a-member of the Society of Friends, but that he has only an objection to fighting?

Mr. FORSTER

That he is a member of the Friends' Ambulance Unit.

Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this man is not a member of the Society of Friends?

Mr. FORSTER

I had forgotten that.

Mr. FABER

Does he derive any profit from the contract?

Mr. FORSTER

My information is that he is not a director.

Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE rose—[HON. MEMBERS

"Order!"]

Mr. SPEAKER

We cannot debate these matters in question and answer when we have such a large number of questions.