§ 21. Mr. George Craddockasked the Minister of Labour if he is willing to extend the basis of representation on conscientious objectors tribunals to include ministers of religion representative of various denominations.
§ Mr. WatkinsonNo, Sir. The present method of appointment, as laid down in the Fourth Schedule to the National Service Act, 1948, has proved satisfactory in practice, and I should not be in favour of altering it.
§ Mr. CraddockIs it not a fact that Lords Spiritual and Temporal are part of our State machinery? Furthermore, if we have ministers of religion in the Forces attending to the spiritual requirements of the men, surely it is time that the Minister should be just to the spiritual laws.
§ Mr. WatkinsonWe went very fully into this in debate not long ago, when I gave, in detail, the reasons why we think the present composition of the tribunal was as fair as we could make it.
§ Mr. YatesIs the Minister aware that there is widespread dissatisfaction with much of the questioning done in local tribunals, especially in regard to religious objectors? Will he seriously consider whether people more expert, and more understanding of such issues, should not be given a chance to sit on the tribunals?
§ Mr. WatkinsonPerhaps the hon. Member misunderstands me. There is no bar at present to the appointment of a member who happens to be a minister of religion. In fact, we have recently appointed one to the London local tribunal.
§ 22. Mr. George Craddockasked the Minister of Labour if he will amend the National Service Act, 1948, so as to give him power, by regulation, to lay down general principles upon which such tribunals are to proceed in deciding whether an objector is to remain registered in the register of conscientious objectors.
§ Mr. WatkinsonNo, Sir. The National Service Acts deliberately placed on the independent tribunals the sole responsibility for deciding these cases. In my view, it would be a retrograde step to ask Parliament to empower my right hon. and learned Friend to fetter their judgment by regulations.
§ Mr. CraddockIs the Minister aware that there is wide disparity in the sentences meted out by the tribunals to conscientious objectors for the same offence, and therefore would it not be a good thing if the Minister kindly looked into this again so that proper guidance might be given to tribunals when making their decisions?
§ Mr. WatkinsonWe shall certainly look at it again, but I cannot give any promises.