Mr. CHANCELLORasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Joseph Pearson, a conscientious objector to military service, of Liverpool, was forced to give in and join the Army by systematic ill-treatment at the hands of the 3rd Cheshires at Birkenhead, who-persistently kept him awake day and night for four days; and whether, in view of the former cases of ill-treatment which have been proved against the responsible 501W authorities at this camp, inquiries will be made with a view to bringing those responsible to justice?
§ Mr. FORSTERInquiries are being made.
§ Mr. THOMAS RICHARDSONasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department how many conscientious objectors to military service who were in prison or under military detention have up to now been examined by the Central Tribunal and deemed not genuine, and on what grounds?
§ Mr. LONGI have been asked to reply to this question. I am informed that over 2,000 of these cases have been decided by the Central Tribunal, and that in sixty-three cases the men have not, in consequence of the reports made by the Central Tribunal, been offered work under the Home Office Committee. The Central Tribunal decide each case according to its merits.