HC Deb 29 June 1920 vol 131 cc223-5
25. Colonel WEDGWOOD

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has anything yet to say respecting David Jenkins, a conscientious objector, who was recently arrested by the military authorities and taken to Brecon barracks, and is now awaiting court-martial; and if he will say on what grounds this man has been arrested by the military authorities 19 months after the signing of the Armistice?

Mr. CHURCHILL

This man was arrested by the police because he was a deserter. The circumstances of the case were referred to the War Office and, in view of the fact that Private Jenkins signed an admission that he was the deserter named in the proceedings before the magistrate, a protecting certificate under the provisions of paragraph 518 of the King's Regulations was authorised.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Can other people in similar positions also secure immunity from arrest?

Mr. CHURCHILL

Yes, but each case must be judged on its merits, and exceptional circumstances justify exceptional procedure; but, broadly speaking, if a man signs a confession of having been a deserter and is identified as such, then, unless there is something quite out of the usual, we issue a protection certificate, having regard to the fact that the War has been over for some time.

Mr. BILLING

Are we to understand that if a man desert from the Army, all he has to do is to sign a confession, and he gets a certificate?

Mr. CHURCHILL

No; this refers to persons who deserted during the period of the War.

Mr. BILLING

Is not that much worse?

Mr. CHURCHILL

Though it is much worse, in view of the time that has elapsed and other circumstances, a protection certificate is not withheld. It is not desirable that these men should be at large in the population with this hanging over their heads, and not knowing what to do or how to qualify for any civil status. It is a difficult case to decide.

Mr. PALMER

Are there no men suffering imprisonment for desertion during the War?

Mr. CHURCHILL

Yes, and some men were shot.

Mr. PALMER

Are those men to be kept in custody?

Colonel PENRY WILLIAMS

Are there cases where a protection certificate is issued in error?

Mr. CHURCHILL

This certificate was not issued in error. It was issued in compassion.

Mr. BILLING

Are we to understand that any man who succeeded in escaping arrest during the War is now to be let go free, while those who were less cunning and who were captured are in prison?

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Is it not the fact that this man was doing alternative service, and after the Armistice he deserted thinking that that terminated the necessity for doing alternative service, and is it not to persons in that position that certificates are issued?

Mr. CHURCHILL

He has got his certificate, and why does he trouble us any more?

Mr. BILLING

May I have an answer to my question as to whether those who escaped during the War are to be allowed to go free and those who did not are to be kept in prison?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I carefully safeguarded myself from any such inference. Obviously, something in the nature of a statute of limitations will have to come into operation.

Mr. PALMER

Might not a general amnesty be made?

Mr. CHURCHILL

That is a further question.