Mr. J. T. Hallasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that a boy of 18 years of age, residing in the county borough of Gateshead, was sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment for refusing to undergo a medical examination for National Service; and whether he will recommend clemency in this case in view of the excellent character of this boy.
§ Major Lloyd-GeorgeI have made inquiries into this case. The young man concerned was sentenced on 9th November, 1954, by a magistrates' court to 12 months' imprisonment for failing to obey 297W a court order to submit himself to medical examination under the National Service Act, 1948. He did not appeal to quarter sessions. His application for registration as a conscientious objector had been rejected by the local and appellate tribunals. It is for the court to decide what is the appropriate penalty in a particular case, within the limits prescribed by law, and after carefully considering the representations brought to my notice by the hon. Member I can find no grounds on which I should be justified in recommending any special remission of the sentence which the court considered appropriate in this case, and against which the prisoner did not appeal.