Mr. DUNCANasked the Comptroller of the Household, as representing the National Health Insurance Commissioners, whether conscientious objectors to military service are being employed in a temporary-capacity by the Commissioners; if so, will he state the rate of wages paid to these men; and whether women who had volunteered for the work in the first instance were discharged to make room for these men?
§ Sir E. CORNWALLA few of these men are employed by arrangement with the Committee on Employment of Conscientious Objectors, who pay them 8d. 1857W per day, less any deductions for separation allowances, and are responsible for their maintenance. No payment of any kind is made to the men by the Insurance Commissioners. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.
§ Mr. BUTCHERasked the Home Secretary whether he will state what rations are issued to conscientious objectors who are employed at Dartmoor and elsewhere; whether those rations are the same as or less than those issued to soldiers fighting on the various battle fronts; and whether such rations are in excess of those laid down by the Food Controller for other civilians in this country?
§ Mr. BRACEAs regards Princetown, I would refer the hon. and learned Member be the answer given to the junior Member for Devonport on 21st March. The rations at other camps and work centres under the Committee on Employment of Conscientious Objectors vary according to the local circumstances, and to the class of work which the men have to do. Instructions were given in March that the rations suggested by the Food Controller for other civilians in this country were not to be exceeded. They are less than those of soldiers on active service. The Committee consults the Food Controller whenever occasion arises.
§ Mr. JOWETTasked the Home Secretary whether he will state to the House the principle which actuates the Home Office in directing by its Regulations that conscientious objectors, released to work under the Home Office Committee who took part in peace or other propaganda or are convicted under the Defence of the Realm Regulations for an offence of a political character should be returned to the Army?
§ Mr. BRACEThe Regulation made by the Committee on Employment of Conscientious Objectors is that public propaganda, whether by making speeches, taking part in processions or demonstrations, or otherwise, is forbidden. This Regulation was made in consequence of representations that men, relieved of the consequences of military offences in order to take up work of national importance, were availing themselves of the liberty thus obtained to indulge in public propaganda. For a breach of this, as of any other Regulation, a man is liable to be recalled to prison or the Army. There is no Regulation referring to convictions1858W under the Defence of the Realm Regulations, but there is a Regulation to the following effect:
"Any man who, after his release from prison, and before his final discharge from the Committee's control, is convicted of any offence by any Court of criminal jurisdiction, will be reported to the Committee, and, unless there are extenuating circumstances, of which the Committee shall be the sole judges, will be sent back to prison or recalled to military service, as the case may be."
§ Mr. JOWETTasked the Home Secretary if he will inform the House of Commons whether conscientious objectors who have been found genuine by the Central Tribunal and released under the Home Office scheme and then have committed a breach of the Regulations and have been returned to the Army and re-court-mactialled will be given another opportunity of coming under the Home Office scheme; or what steps does the Government propose to take in the case of these men, whose genuineness has been recognised by the Central Tribunal and who have indicated their willingness to do work of national importance under civil conditions?
§ Mr. BRACEThe Committee on the Employment of Conscientious Objectors will consider any application to be allowed again to take up work under them which they may receive from a conscientious objector who has been returned to the Army for a breach of the conditions of his release from prison, and who is serving a fresh sentence of imprisonment passed by a court-martial. They cannot, however, promise that every application will be granted.