§ Mr. KINGasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that young lads and men are in prison as conscientious objectors for doctrines which they have received in filial or religious dependence from fathers, mothers, teachers, and religious ministers, and that the latter in many cases feel that they should more properly bear the punishment of prison and hard labour and its results in disease, suffering, impoverishment, insanity, and death which their sons or pupils have to undergo; and whether, realising that these elder persons are in many cases quite ready to suffer for their doctrines and relieve their young friends, he will allow any person to undergo vicariously for a longer or shorter period the punishment being inflicted on a conscientious objector?
§ Mr. BRACEI cannot accept the allegations in the first part of this question, and the suggestion in the second part is one that cannot be adopted.
§ Mr. T. RICHARDSONasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that 1886W William Stanton, a conscientious objector, was sentenced in September last to a term of imprisonment in Wormwood Scrubs, and that he was sent home from Princetown settlement in March last on grounds of ill-health; whether he is aware that Stanton died on 25th March last; and in what measure his treatment in prison and the Home Office camp was conducive to his early demise?
§ Mr. BRACEThis man was sentenced in September, 1916, was released a few-weeks later for employment under the Home Office Committee, and after more than a year's service left Princetown Work Centre in March last, having been authorised by the Committee to take up individual employment. He was not released on grounds of ill-health, and there was nothing in his treatment, either in prison or at Princetown, to conduce to his death.