§ Mr. ADAMSONasked the Postmaster-General whether he has issued an Order to the effect that conscientious objectors who have declined to accept the decisions of tribunals and as a consequence are in prison, having refused to accept the offer of work by the Home Office Committee, are to be dismissed from the public service; if so, whether he has received any representations from the Postal Trade Unions on the matter; and whether he will postpone the operation of the Order pending further consideration of the whole question?
§ Mr. PEASEThe cases referred to are men who are in prison and have either refused to have their cases investigated by the Central Appeal Tribunal or have declined to undertake work of national importance offered them by the Home Office Committee. I do not think that such men can properly be retained in the Post Office service. Representations have been made on the subject by the National Joint Committee of Post Office Associations, and my right hon. Friend has fully considered them, but he does not feel able to modify the decision, which has already been carried into effect.