§ 62. Mr. ANDERSONasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the case of John E. Jeffery, formerly attached to the Non-Combatant Corps, who, after appearing before the Central Tribunal at Wandsworth, was recommended by the Army Council to work under the Home Office scheme; whether this man accepted this scheme and was released on furlough; whether he is aware that he was arrested as an absentee on 13th October, taken before an occasional Court at Newhaven, and remanded to await an escort; and, since this man is under the control of the Home Office, if he will say what action it is proposed to take?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Brace)This man originally refused to accept the alternative service offered him by the Home Office Committee; and the War Office were informed in order that he might be recalled to his unit. He subsequently changed his mind, and was sent to work at Newhaven. By a mistake, which is regretted, the War Office were not informed of this; and Jeffery was arrested, as stated by the hon. Member, on the 13th instant. As soon as the mistake was discovered, the necessary 1113 steps were taken to get the man discharged from military custody, and he returned to his work on Saturday last, the 21st instant.