§ 23. Mr. SNOWDENasked the Minister of National Service if it is necessary for a man who holds an exemption on business grounds to put in an appeal on conscientious grounds before his exemption is cancelled, or will it be in order if he does so when the exemption is withdrawn; and, in view of the fact that there are a number of men within the old military service ages who originally put in claims both on business grounds and on the ground of conscientious objection whose claims on the latter ground have been held over so long as the exemption on business grounds was in force, if he will say whether such men can now have their claim on conscientious grounds heard and determined?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. S. Walsh)I have been asked to answer this question. The provision that an application for the renewal of an exemption may be made only on one or more of the grounds on which the exemption was granted applies only to certificates granted on applications made on or after to-day. The man, therefore, who holds an exemption on business grounds granted on an application made before to-day may later apply for a renewal on other grounds.
§ Mr. SNOWDENThe hon. Gentleman has not given a reply to the last part of my question as to claims for exemption on other grounds which have been held in abeyance. Am I to understand, therefore, that in such a case a man can renew his application?
§ Mr. WALSHI have specially answered the point of the hon. Gentleman. A person who had his exemption granted on business grounds may now have his application determined on the grounds that remained in abeyance.