HC Deb 21 November 1939 vol 353 cc1014-5
54. Mr. Thurtle

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been drawn to the cases of civil servants employed in the fighting Services Departments who have declared themselves to be conscientious objectors to military service, and whose objection has been sustained by the tribunals; and whether he is satisfied that the continued employment of these men in the fighting Services Departments is not injurious to the interests of the State or to the moral character of the individuals concerned?

Sir J. Simon

Where a civil servant employed in a fighting Services Department has declared himself to be a conscientious objector to military service and where the objection has been sustained by a tribunal, no automatic action would be taken against the individual concerned in the matter of his civil employment. If, however, such an individual refuses, or asks to be relieved of the necessity, to perform any Departmental duty appropriately allotted to him as a civil servant, he cannot be retained in the Civil Service.

Mr. Thurtle

Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that it is against all reason and commonsense that these fighting Departments should have on their staff persons who are conscientious objectors to all the work the Departments are doing?

Mr. Stephen

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that those men have got to live, the same as the hon. Member who put this question?

Mr. Thurtle

Could I have a reply to my question?

Brigadier-General Sir Henry Croft

Can those who are conscientious objectors possibly remain in the service? If so, are they not acting contrary to the opinions expressed before tribunals by such conscientious objectors?

Sir J. Simon

I do not think that it is necessarily right to dispense with the services of a man who is working in a Department in London and who is not being asked to do anything but work in a Department in London if he finds it possible to do it.

Mr. Thurtle

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that it may be part of the duty of these persons to send orders to other young men to be called up and do a share of the fighting?

Mr. Stephen

Have not these men to earn a livelihood as well as the hon. Member for Shoreditch (Mr. Thurtle)?

Mr. McGovem

The hon. Member for Shoreditch (Mr. Thurtle) seems to be developing a Hitler mentality.