§ 26. Mr. NEEDHAMasked the Undersecretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to extracts of a letter from James Brightmore, the Pit, Shane Camp, Cleethorpes; whether the punishment described has been awarded with his consent; and whether Brightmore is allowed to receive letters from his relatives?
§ 80 and 82. Mr. TREVELYANasked the Under-Secretary of State for War (1) whether he is aware that it is stated at Cleethorpes Camp that James Brightmore, who has recently been subjected to ill-treatment there as a conscientious objector, is being sent out at once to France; whether, as Brightmore has proved the genuineness of his objection by suffering two terms of imprisonment, he will see that the man is not taken out to France; (2) whether his attention has been called to the treatment of James Brightmore, D Company, 3rd Manchesters, at Cleethorpes Camp; whether he is aware that among other ill-treatment he was kept for a prolonged period in a pit 10 feet deep and 40 inches by 18 inches wide, and full of water at the bottom; whether the fact that he has served sentences of 112 days and six months' hard labour arc sufficient proof of the genuineness of his conscientious objections; whether he will cause inquiry to be made into the case; and whether, if the allegations are not disproved, he will call those responsible for the proceedings to strict account?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONThis allegation has previously been brought to my notice, and in consequence on the 28th June I directed that a staff officer should proceed at once to Cleethorpes Camp to interview every conscientious objector there and to receive his complaints and to forward a full report. I received a telegram yesterday that a report was on its way, but it has not yet reached me There is no truth in the suggestion that Brightmore is being sent to France.
§ Mr. THEODORE TAYLORWill the hon. Gentleman in the meantime consider the result of the inquiry, and see that this man is not sent to France?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONThere is no intention of sending Brightmore to France.