§ Mr. SNOWDENasked the Home Secretary why two conscientious objectors, named Alexander Bain and Dan Stephenson, who were released from Durham Prison on the expiration of their third sentence on 22nd February and 16th February, respectively, were taken to 331W South Shields Police Station and kept in solitary confinement, no reason being given for this treatment; and what is the explanation of it?
§ Sir G. CAVEThese prisoners were discharged from prison to military escorts in the ordinary course. Any questions with regard to their custody after that event should be addressed to the military authorities.
§ Mr. SNOWDENasked the President of the Local Government Board if he issued a circular to military service tribunals on the 1st June, 1916, in which he said that it is the duty of tribunals to sift with are the genuine cases of conscientious objectors, and to give the proper relief contemplated by the Act; whether he is aware that the Act contemplated cases where absolute exemption might be given, and that the Central Tribunal have resolved that, notwithstanding the clear provisions of the Act, they will grant no certificates of absolute exemption to conscientious objectors whatever the merits of the cases may be; will he ascertain why the Central Tribunal have decided to override the intentions of Parliament and the provisions of an Act of Parliament by refusal to grant absolute exemption whatever the merits of the case may be; and, seeing that the local and appeal tribunals are largely governed in their procedure by the published decisions of the Central Tribunal, and that in consequence of the illegal attitude taken by the Central Tribunal the local and appeal tribunals are being misdirected, will steps be taken to compel the Central Tribunal to act legally in the administration of the Military Service Act?
§ Mr. HAYES FISHERA circular was issued on the date mentioned which dealt, among other matters, with the cases of conscientious objectors. The Act enables a tribunal to give absolute exemption in cases in which the tribunal considers such exemption justified; it does not confer a right of absolute exemption. I am not aware that the Central Tribunal have resolved not to grant absolute exemption in any case. They have considered each case on its merits, and they have not considered in any case which has yet come before them that absolute exemption is justified. They have acted strictly in accordance with the Military Service Acts.