§ Mr. W. R. SMITHasked the Home Secretary what has been the total cost of the scheme for the employment of conscientious objectors under the Home Office Committee; and how many officials have been occupied solely in the working of the scheme?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODI can only state the gross amount of the payments made, not the net cost to the State after allowing for repayments due, and for the value of work done at the work centres. The gross amount of the payments from August, 1916, to the 31st December, 1918, is £254,992 15s. 9d. The staff of the Committee on Employment of Conscientious Objectors number seventeen, of whom twelve are women. These, and the prison officers employed at the Prince town Work Centre, are the only officials occupied solely in the working of the scheme.
§ Mr. F. ROBERTSasked the Home Secretary whether Oswald Cox, a conscientious objector, is now breaking down in health in Pentonville Prison; and, if so, whether he will order the man's release on health grounds?
§ Mr. SHORTTIn view of a report made to me this man was released on medical grounds last month.