§ Mr. Cocksasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the action of the Nottingham magistrates in sentencing Sidney Page, aged 18, a 448W surface worker, employed at Newstead colliery, to a month's imprisonment for refusing to work underground, and to the fact that this sentence has created indignation amongst his fellow workers; and whether, in view of the fact that this lad suffers from a form of neurosis or claustrophobia which renders him unsuitable for underground work, he will review this sentence?
§ Mr. H. MorrisonSidney Page was convicted and sentenced on 8th September, 1943, to one month's imprisonment for failing to comply with a direction given by a National Service Officer contrary to Regulation 58A of the Defence (General) Regulations, 1939. On 15th September, Page signed an unqualified undertaking to comply with the direction in question. In these circumstances it appeared that the sentence of the Court had achieved it's purpose and I decided to recommend the remission of the remainder of his sentence and to authorise his release. At no time did I receive any representations nor, I understand, was there any information given to the Court that heard the case, to suggest that Page was medically unfit for underground work.
§ Mr. Cocksasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the action of the Nottingham magistrates in imposing fines amounting to L35 on Sidney Gabriel Beal, a miner working at Newstead Colliery, for failing to attend Home Guard parades; and whether, in view of the. fact that this miner has been working for over 60 hours a week in the pit and has to get up at 4.30 o'clock every morning in order to get to his work, he will review this sentence?
§ Mr. MorrisonI understand that Mr. Beal has lodged notice of appeal to Quarter Sessions and it would not be proper for me to make any comment on a case that is stillsub judice.