§ Mr. WHITEHOUSEasked the Undersecretary of State for War whether he can supply any information as to the case of James Brightmore, a conscientious objector, at Cleethorpes; whether he was placed in a hole in the ground about 12 ft. deep which contained water; and whether he was supplied with blankets and an oil sheet and told he would be kept there until he gave in or was sent to France?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI have received a report on this ease, but as regards Private Brightmore the matter yet remains somewhat obscure, and I am making further inquiry. But I am able to tell my hon. Friend that as the result of the visit of an officer of the staff of the General Officer Commanding the Humber Garrison, the complaints of all conscientious objectors at Cleethorpes have been investigated, and steps taken to ensure that they are treated in every way as other men of the unit. The case of Private Brightmore calls for further investigation, but of the four other conscientious objectors who were personally seen by the, staff officer, three had no complaints and one complained that he did not receive his full rations.
§ Mr. WHITEHOUSEasked the Undersecretary of State for War whether he can now give any information as to inquiries made concerning the allegations of ill-treatment of a conscientious objector named Jack Gray, No. 58541, 84th Training Reserve Battery, in the camp at Hornsea; 1306W whether he was frog-marched, put into a sack and repeatedly thrown into a pond, and pulled out by a rope round his body; and whether under this treatment he has given in?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONNo reply has yet been received to my inquiries, but I will not fail to write to my hon. Friend whenever I receive the reply.
§ Mr. TREVELYANasked the Undersecretary of State for War whether he has yet had a Report on the case of five conscientious objectors, Garland, Middleton, Price, Keighley, and Davis, in the 3rd Manchester Regiment; whether they have been sent to France; and, if so, whether he has had them returned to England 'n accordance with the promise of the late Prime Minister?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI have now received, a report on this case. Representations were made to the Director of Personal Services that it was believed that these men had been irregularly sent to France, and in consequence inquiries were made from the Command concerned as to the circumstances, and on the 19th June a letter was dispatched to headquarters in France saying that there was reason to believe that these men had been sent overseas, having been summarily awarded detention without being given the option of trial by court-martial, and further requesting that in the event of their being brought to trial by court-martial they were to be sent back to this country to undergo their sentence. T have not yet learnt whether they have been returned to this country, but I will communicate that information to my hon. Friend as soon as it reaches me. Reports from the Command concerned show that these men were irregularly sent to France, and that they should have been remanded for trial by court-martial in this country.