§ Mr. BOWERMANasked the President of the Local Government Board if he can state the reason why Horace J. Jones, a conscientious objector, now serving a term of six months' imprisonment in Wormwood Scrubs after court-martial at Mill 70W Hill Barracks, has been refused his application to undertake work of national importance within the provisions of the Home Office scheme; and whether the fact that the man is prepared to undertake work under the direction of the Home Office Committee will now be considered and his sentence mitigated?
Mr. SAMUELMy right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. Horace J. Jones was offered, but refused, work under the Committee on Employment of Conscientious Objectors. He is aware that it is still open to him to accept it, and that, if he does, he will be released from prison and employed on work of national importance.