§ 7. Mr. KINGasked the Home Secretary whether the superintendent of the Wake-field work centre is called the agent; whether the agent is a business manager and labour director only or has control of the whole centre; how many agents have been employed at Wakefield work centre during the last two years; how many have voluntarily resigned; how many have been otherwise removed; and what are the names, qualifications, and emoluments of the present agent at Wakefield?
§ Sir G. CAVEThe superintendent of the Wakefield work centre is called the manager, and his duties and powers are laid down in the Committee's rules which have been laid before the House. The present manager is the fourth who has been appointed, the remaining three having voluntarily resigned their position. His name is George Alfred Pritchard, he is a retired prison governor, and his remuneration is £260 per annum, with quarters.
9. Mr. CHANCELLORasked the Home Secretary whether conscientious objectors who have served a sentence of two years for refusing, on conscientious grounds, to obey military orders, will be discharged at the end of that period without liability to be called up again?
§ Sir G. CAVEI would refer the hon. Member to the statement made on behalf of the Government in another place on the 30th April.
§ Mr. MORRELLHow are we to know what statement was made in another place? Will the right hon. Gentleman tell us himself what is the answer?
§ Sir G. CAVEThat would take some time, but the hon. Member can refer to the Debates. [Hoy. Members: "No!"]
§ Mr. MORRELLMay I ask, Sir, whether a Minister is entitled to refer us to what happened in another place? Can we not have a statement made by him?
§ Sir G. CAVEIf the hon. Member will put down a question, I will endeavour to put in form the answer he requires. I recognise the rights of the House, and that the hon. Gentleman is entitled to an answer.
§ 10. Mr. SNOWDENasked the Home Secretary why J. J. Sawyer, a conscientious objector now employed by the British Organic Ammonia Company, of Connah's Quay, near Chester, who has been under the Home Office scheme since 28th February, 1917, and who has made application to be given the exceptional employment privilege, has been refused this; and will he take steps to see that this request is granted?
§ Sir G. CAVEThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. This man's case has not yet been con- 2304 sidered by the Committee on Employment of Conscientious Objectors.. It will be considered as soon as possible.
§ 11. Mr. SNOWDENasked the Home Secretary if an application was received from Mr. W. T Hutchinson, of the works centre, Wakefield, who has spent seventeen months at the above centre and is entitled to the exceptional employment scheme, to be allowed to accept a position as clerk to the executive officer in the Lincoln Food Control office; whether the executive officer wrote to the Home Office Committee in February asking that Hutchinson might be released as early as possible; and will he state why nothing has yet beer, done to release this man for work where he would be more usefully employed?
§ Sir G. CAVEThe answer to the first and second parts of the question is in the affirmative, except that no man is entitled to be allowed to take up exceptional employment unless the Committee on Employment of Conscientious Objectors are satisfied that his conduct and industry have been good. In this case they are not so satisfied.