§ 31. Lieut.-Colonel Sir Thomas Mooreasked the Minister of Fuel and Power to what extent conscientious objectors have proved proficient when employed in the coalmines; and whether he proposes to extend employment of these people in the coalfields.
§ The Minister of Fuel and Power (Major Lloyd George)In reply to the first part of the Question, there is no information available about the proficiency of individual miners. With regard to the second part, I have nothing to add to the reply made by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour to the hon. Members for Holland with Boston (Mr. Butcher) and Tamworth (Sir J. Mellor) on 9th December, 1943.
§ Sir T. MooreAs I have not the answer by me, could the Minister say whether he is not prepared to take suitable steps with conscientious objectors at the same time as the calling-up of these young untrained boys?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeThey are, in fact, treated like the others called up, and there is no differentiation at all.
§ Mr. Rhys DaviesWill the Minister invite those hon. Members who want to force everybody else down the pits to go down the pits themselves?
§ Mr. Evelyn WalkdenIs the Minister not aware that, in the mining villages, we neither know nor care whether they are conscientious objectors or not? We want conscientious coal-getters to get coal, and that is all that matters to us.
§ Mr. SloanIs the Minister aware that all the boys being sent to the mines just now are conscientious objectors?