§ Mr. ALDENasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that the Secretary of State for War gave a promise that the practice of successive punishments for conscientious objectors would be discontinued, he will give directions that all who have suffered imprisonment for two years shall not again be called up for the Army?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI think my hon. Friend is under a misapprehension. The Secretary of State for War stated that the Army Council intended to leave whatever sentences may have been passed by courts-martial undisturbed in view of the fact that the clemency of the Army Council in the way of granting remissions of sentence had been abused and the men concerned, on return to their unit, had invariably again disobeyed orders, thus giving rise to the erroneous impression of repeated trials for the same offence. In regard to the latter part of the question, my hon. Friend no doubt realises that the question of calling up on the termination of any particular sentence does not arise, in view of the fact that the men concerned are serving soldiers who have never been relegated to the Reserve.
§ Mr. KINGasked the Home Secretary whether special leave will be granted to Jewish conscientious objectors employed at the Home Office camps to return to their homes during the feast of Passover— that is to say, from Thursday, the 28th March, to Thursday, the 4th April, inclusive in order to enable them to observe the rites and ceremonies enjoined by their religion?
§ Sir G. CAVEAll leave is suspended, but Jews will not be required to work, and will be allowed either to travel to the nearest synagogue or to meet together for service. Facilities will be given for obtaining special food. All Jewish conscientious objectors at Princetown are-being transferred to Wakefield, where there are better facilities.