§ 7. Mr. A. Fenner Brockwayasked the Minister of Labour on how many occasions have Bernard Bennett, Edward Andrews, Dennis Watts and Peter Newell 9 been sentenced for refusing medical examination or military service under the National Service Acts.
§ Sir W. MoncktonBennett and Andrews three times; Watts and Newell twice.
§ Mr. BrockwayIn view of the undertakings given during the passage of the Bill against cat and mouse treatment, may I ask whether the right hon. and learned Gentleman will look into the uncompleted sentences and, in particular, liberate Bernard Bennett from imprisonment—on his third sentence?
§ Sir W. MoncktonThere has been no change in the practice which has been in operation for a number of years. That was announced in this House by the then Parliamentary Secretary in May, 1947, when he said:
… no man is prosecuted after he has served a prison sentence or sentences amounting to three months or more, and … furthermore … a man is not prosecuted more than twice even if these two prosecutions have resulted in prison sentences of less than three months, except where the sentences are derisory, for instance, small fines."—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 21st May, 1947; Vol. 437, c. 2421.]
§ Mr. BrockwayHas the right hon. and learned Gentleman's attention been drawn to the fact that Bennett has been sentenced three times and is now in prison?
§ Sir W. MoncktonBennett has been sentenced twice to a fine and once to imprisonment. I must draw attention to this, that if fines of a moderate kind twice administered are enough one must remember that his case has been heard by the local tribunal and the appeal tribunal and has been rejected and that what he would be avoiding by these small fines, if they were treated as enough, is two years' Service and three and a half years' in Reserve.
§ Mr. BrockwayMay I give notice that I will raise this matter on an early Adjournment?