§ Mr. STANTONasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that Mr. Emmanuel Shinwell applied to the Glasgow Tribunal for exemption from military service, that his application was rejected, that he received a calling-up notice, and that such notice was not in order, with the result that he had to appear before the tribunal again; if he is aware that he is a conscientious objector; whether instructions were sent to the tribunal that the case was not to be proceeded with; if so, were such instructions sent with his sanction; whether any information can be given as to the total number of cases in Glasgow where similar instructions have been sent; and why steps were taken to protect this person against military service?
§ Mr. BECKMr. Emmanuel Shinwell was granted conditional exemption by the Glasgow Local Tribunal in July, 1916. The case was reviewed in December, 1916, and exemption continued. This decision was upheld on appeal by the Appeal Tribunal. In September, 191V, this case was again reviewed by the National Service representative, but application was, in error, made. to the Appeal Tribunal instead of to the local tribunal as provided by the Regulations governing tribunal procedure. The case was accordingly remitted to the local tribunal by the Appeal Tribunal after a decision had been given withdrawing his exemption, and on the 12th October, 1917, the local tribunal heard the case and continued the exemption granted to Mr. Shinwell. Against this decision the National Service representative appealed, but on instructions from the National Service Department the appeal was withdrawn. No instructions were sent to the tribunal. The appeal was withdrawn on the representation of the Shipping Controller and the Admiralty that Shinwell was doing important work in connection with the engagement and supervision of crews for merchant ships, both requisitioned and unrequisitioned, and that in the opinion of those Departments it was desirable in the national interests that his exemption should continue. The Minister of National Service is not aware that Shinwell is a conscientious objector.