§ 14. Mr. KINGasked whether Private Ashton, 3/10th Battalion, County of London Regiment, a, conscientious objector, now an inmate of Long Grove Asylum, has been discharged from the Army?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI should be glad if my hon. Friend would furnish the soldier's regimental number.
§ 25. Mr. SNOWDENasked the Home Secretary if he will have immediate inquiry made into the state of health of William Sandles, a conscientious objector, confined in Newcastle Prison, and who is reported to have been confined to bed for the last month; and whether lie will consider the man's discharge?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT(Sir George Cave)I have called for a report on this prisoner's health, and find that his present condition affords no ground for discharge. He was under treatment for a time, apparently for rheumatism, but it appears that he is now fit for exercise and is doing his work.
§ 26. Mr. SNOWDENasked the Home Secretary why Geoffrey E. Hicks, a conscientious objector, employed at the Works Centre, Wakefield, and who has a record of twelve months' good service, has not been permitted to take up exceptional employment under the new concession; and will he reconsider this case?
§ Sir G. CAVEA conscientious objector qualifies for exceptional employment by twelve months' good conduct and industry. It is for the Committee on Employment of Conscientious Objectors to decide after full consideration of each man's record whether he is so qualified, and I cannot interfere with the exercise of their discretion in this matter.
§ Mr. WATTCould the right hon. Gentleman say why a distinction is made between 792 these conscientious objectors, some of them being given and others not being given the opportunity of exceptional employment?
§ Sir G. CAVEIf the privilege is refused, it must be because the man cannot qualify by good conduct and industry.
§ 36. Mr. SNOWDENasked the Secretary for Scotland if he will have immediate inquiry made into the physical condition of James Boyd, a conscientious objector, in Barlinnie Prison; if he will ascertain if the prison doctor has declared him to be medically unfit for the Army; and whether, in the circumstances, he will follow the precedent adopted by the Home Office in similar cases and recommend to the War Office the man's discharge?
§ The SECRETARY for SCOTLAND (Mr. Munro)I am obtaining a medical report on the case referred to, and will consider the suggestion contained in the question when I receive it.
§ Mr. WATTIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the general opinion held is that he is not quite so lenient with these conscientious objectors as his colleague for England?