HC Deb 15 November 1917 vol 99 cc560-1
37. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

asked how many paid officials are employed by the Committee of Employment of Conscientious Objectors; and what are their functions and their respective salaries?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Brace)

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend on Monday last to a question by the hon. Member for Whitehaven. In addition to the office staff mentioned in that reply, the officers employed at the Committee's work centres at Princetown, Wakefield, and Knutsford number 57, 17, and 12 respectively, and the total salaries paid to them amount to £8,167, £2,319, and £1,257 per annum respectively. The great majority of these are prison officers, and their functions are to instruct, supervise, and control the men employed at the centres.

As regards the men employed at numerous places outside work centres, these are supervised and controlled by their employers, who act without remuneration as the Committee's agents for this purpose. In three cases, however, the Committee pay remuneration to their local agents at the rate of 1s. per week for each man employed up to a maximum of 50s, per week.

Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

Is the House to understand it costs the State something like £13,000 to manage these so-called conscientious objectors?

Mr. BRACE

It costs the amount that I have quoted.

Mr. KING

A great deal more than that!

38. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

asked what is the total amount of money that has been expended, chargeable to State funds, in respect to the employment of conscientious objectors?

Mr. BRACE

I can only state the gross amount of the payments made, not the net cost to the State after allowing for repayments due, and for the value of work done at the work centres. The gross amount of the payments from August, 1916, to the 31st of October, 1917, is —92,306 17s. 11d.

42. Mr. SNOWDEN

asked the Home Secretary if he will state the present condition of health of Paul L. Gillan, a Sinn Fein conscientious objector, who was returned to prison some months ago from the Dartmoor Settlement; whether this man has refused work in prison; and, if so, what punishments have been inflicted upon him and are being inflicted upon him?

Sir G. CAVE

I have asked for a Report about the man referred to, and I will communicate with the hon. Member.