§ 9. Major Tufton Beamishasked the Minister of Labour what information his Department has collected to account for the fact that during the war years.77 per cent. of men who were called up for the Armed Forces registered as conscientious objectors, while between 30th June, 1945, and the end of 1948 the percentage registered as conscientious objectors was only.18 per cent.
§ Mr. IsaacsNone, Sir.
§ Major BeamishWill the Minister bear in mind that it was not my intention, in asking this Question, to cast any aspersions on genuine conscientious objectors, such as Quakers, for whom I have always had the utmost respect?
§ Mr. IsaacsThe hon. and gallant Member asked what information we had collected. We have not collected any information, but it must be borne in mind that among the 8,000,000 called up were men of all ages between 18 and 40, and that the 1,000,000 called up are young men of 18 years of age, which may make a difference.