HC Deb 15 July 1918 vol 108 cc723-4W
Mr. SNOWDEN

asked the Undersecretary of State for War why Private Alfred Catherall, No. T. 4/216839, of K Supply Company, Army Service Corps, who was recently sentenced to imprisonment as a conscientious objector in France, has not been returned to this country to undergo his sentence in a civil prison, seeing that there can be no doubt the reason for this soldier's refusal to obey orders, as he has been previously court-martialled and was at one time adjudged by the Central Tribunal to be a genuine conscientious objector and was working under the Home Office scheme; and will he see that he is brought back to this country at once?

Mr. MACPHERSON

Private Catherall was returned to England on the 5th June last.

Mr. SNOWDEN

asked the Home Secretary why Tom and Jack Umpleby, of Primrose Hill Farm, Stockton-on-Tees, who have for the last twenty months been employed under the Home Office scheme and are now at the Dartmoor settlement, have not been permitted to take up the exceptional employment scheme, seeing that these young men are both experienced farmers and that there are dozens of farmers ready to employ them; and, in view of the need for agricultural labour, will he see that these men are released at once?

Sir G. CAVE

The hon. Member is misinformed. These two men were informed early in June that they were classed as qualified for exceptional employment. They asked to be allowed to return to their father's and brother's farm, but the committee did not feel able to accede to this proposal. It is open to them to make a further proposal for employment in agriculture, and any such proposal will be considered by the Committee.

Mr. SNOWDEN

asked the Home Secretary if he will have further inquiry made into the condition of the eyesight of Alexander Bain, a conscientious objector in Durham Prison, with special regard to the glasses with which he has been supplied, which are said to be quite unsuitable, and are inflicting great pain and doing very serious injury to his eyesight?

Sir G. CAVE

I have made further inquiry, and can only confirm the reply given to the hon. Member on the 17th June. The prisoner was examined by a highly qualified eye specialist at the Sunderland Eye Infirmary, that institution having been selected by the prisoner himself, and he has been supplied with the glasses which were prescribed.