§ Mr. T. RICHARDSONasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that conscientious objectors confined to Marne Barracks, Blackdown, have not been allowed exercise for forty-four days and are told that if the want exercise they must do military duties; and whether this action is directed by the authorities?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI have called for a report on the matters suggested, and will let my hon. Friend know the result later.
§ Mr. SNOWDENasked the Under-Secretary of State for War what is the reason for the increasing practice of military commanders in persistently refusing to bring conscientious objectors to court-martial for refusing to obey military orders, and instead sentencing them repeatedly to short terms of detention; and, as this is in violation of instructions will he see that the practice is stopped?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI am not aware that there is an increasing practice of the nature suggested by the hon. Member. Representations have recently been made to the War Office, however, that the provisions of Section 46 of the Army Act have not been complied with, and immediate investigation has been made into this complaint. I would remind the hon. Member of the provisions of Rule of Procedure 7, which is a safeguard given to a soldier where a commanding officer neglects to give him the option of trial by court-1446W martial, but the hon. Member may rest assured that, apart from this provision, the practice which he mentions is one which under no circumstances will be overlooked, whether it refers to a conscientious objector or to a soldier who may have incurred punishment on grounds other than those arising out of conscientious objection.