§ 35. Captain ALBERT SMITHasked the Home Secretary whether a conscientious objector granted non-combatant service prior to the institution of the Pelham Committee and having served several terms of imprisonment, is now entitled to release conditionally upon his taking up work of national importance?
§ Sir G. CAVEAll soldiers convicted by court-martial and sentenced to imprisonment for an offence which they allege to have been prompted by a conscientious objection to military service, whatever the date of their appearance before a tribunal under the Military Service Acts are entitled to appear before the Central Appeal Tribunal, which has undertaken to make a report on every such case. If the Central Appeal Tribunal report that the man should be treated as a conscientious objector he is offered release from prison and from military discipline on condition that he performs work of national importance under the Committee on Employment of Conscientious Objectors.
§ 71. Mr. WATTasked the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been called to the case of John D. Mackay, who occupied several public positions in the West of Scotland, and who is now serving a second term of imprisonment in Barlinnie prison as a conscientious objector; whether the tribunal which tried this man's case expressed any doubt as to the bona fides of his conscientious objections to military service; and, if not, can he see his way to permit him to accept work of national importance under the Home Office scheme.
§ The SECRETARY of SCOTLAND (Mr. Munro)I have made inquiry regarding this case. I have nothing to add to the information given by my right hon. Friend the President of the Local Government Board, in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Blackburn on 6th December, and to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary to the hon. Member for Bradford on 14th December.