HC Deb 08 December 1938 vol 342 cc1333-4
5. Major-General Sir Alfred Knox

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that recently a Huddersfield man who refused work in a local cotton mill on the ground that cotton fabric for gas masks was being woven was allowed unemployment pay by the Board of Referees; whether he is satisfied that such award is in the public interest; and what action does he propose to take?

Mr. E. Brown

I am aware of the case which, I think, my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind. The decision to allow benefit was the unanimous decision of a full court of referees, consisting of an independent chairman, a representative of employers and a representative of insured contributors. The finding of the court was that the claimant had satisfied them that he had a conscientious objection which was honestly held. The matter is one for the independent statutory authorities and there is no action which I can take. I understand that the applicant is an "absolutist" by conviction.

Sir A. Knox

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that the case of this man is being announced in one organ of the Press as proof of the right of a man to refuse on conscientious grounds any help to militarism, and does he think it is right that this man should take money subscribed by his fellow-workers for unemployment benefit when he has refused work?

Mr. Brown

The court of referees consists of representatives of those who pay, and an independent chairman representing the community, an employer and a worker all agreed that this man's position was genuine. This was borne out by the fact that he was a conscientious objector in the last war and went to prison, and that he now refuses even to take or to make gas masks owing to his convictions.

Sir A. Knox

Are conscientious objectors to have favourable treatment?

Mr. Mabane

Will my right hon. Friend make it plain that Huddersfield is the centre, not of the cotton industry, but of the woollen industry, and suggest to the hon. and gallant Member that it is better he should confine his attention to his own constituency; and will my right hon. Friend say what is an "absolutist"?