§ 7. Mr. Wyattasked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the shortage of teachers, he will cease calling up teachers for National Service who are conditionally registered as conscientious objectors.
§ Mr. IsaacsA conditionally registered conscientious objector is not, of course, called up for service in the Forces, but he is under a legal obligation to undertake the civilian work ordered by the tribunal as an alternative to military service. I have no power to vary or set aside the tribunal's order.
§ Mr. WyattWill my right hon. Friend explain what is the sense of agreeing that a teacher has a genuine conscientious objection by allowing him conditional registration, and then making him either go to prison or do other work than teaching when he could be of more value being a teacher and also be doing work of national importance?
§ Mr. IsaacsThe only point is that the conscientious objector, like all other citizens, must observe the conditions of the law as laid down.