§ 24. Mr. SNOWDENasked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he can release from military imprisonment Richard M. Hodgson who, on the 4th April, was sentenced to twelve months' imprisonment by court-martial at Alder-shot as a conscientious objector, seeing that Hodgson, who is of Quaker descent, was a tenant farmer working 42 acres of land without other assistance, and in August last, when undergoing imprisonment at Winchester, was released, sent home, and transferred to Class W, Army Reserve, but after staying on his farm for seven months was called up under the Home Office scheme, which work he refused, as he considered his work on his farm of greater national importance?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONThe answer is in the negative.
§ 71. Colonel YATEasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the alleged behaviour of conscientious objectors at Princetown, and to their alleged indulgent 2372 treatment; and, seeing that demands have been made that these men should be sent to work in France and the district relieved of their presence, will he say what action it is proposed to take in the matter?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY Of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Brace)My attention has been drawn to the allegations referred to. I stated yesterday the steps taken to secure stricter conditions. I fear that the suggestion in the last part of the question is. impracticable.
§ Mr. BRACEMy reply is that the presence in France of men who refuse to-do any work in connection with the War would hardly commend itself to our Allies.
Mr. S. BENNMay I ask whether steps have been already taken by the Government, and whether over 130 of these men have not been either sent back to fulfil their sentences, or called up by the Army for bad behaviour?
§ Mr. BRACEI could not charge my memory with the actual number, but a very substantial number of men have been sent back because they refused to carry out the regulations.
§ Mr. OUTHWAITEHow many of the people at Princetown have volunteered for National Service?
§ Sir J. D. REESIs there no other place than France to which these men could be sent?
§ 72. Sir J. D. REESasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether conscientious objectors at Princetown are permitted to leave the church when the National Anthem is sung?
§ Mr. BRACEI have seen statements in the Press that conscientious objectors have behaved as suggested in the question. I have received no representations from the authorities of the church on the subject.
§ Sir J. D. REESCan the right hon. Gentleman say why the authorities have tolerated this, as they appear to tolerate anything from these men?