§ Mr. SNOWDENasked the Home Secretary if he will inquire into the health of Thomas Henry Curtis, a conscientious objector, now in Mutley Prison, Plymouth, who is said to be very ill; and, seeing that this man has always been of a delicate constitution and has been compelled to live an out-door life, whether he will consider his discharge on grounds of health?
§ Sir G. CAVESince his return to prison at the end of March this man has been in hospital, and his state of health has been receiving the special attention of the medical officer. In view of the medical report which I received last week I have felt justified in authorising his release from prison.
§ Mr. SNOWDENasked the Home Secretary whether a regulation has been adopted for the Works Centre, Wakefield, requiring the men to do a fixed amount of work, namely, mat makers 25 square feet per week, plaiters 21½ yards per day, binders 54 feet per day; whether, since this regulation was adopted, a considerable number of men have failed to make the required output and have in consequence been fined by the stoppage of pay; whether in any case the manager has alleged that the men were not doing their best; and whether it is intended to continue this regulation?
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§ Sir G. CAVEThe answers to the hon. Member's questions are in the affirmative. The arrangements appear to be working well, and have resulted in an improvement in the output of work, which had hitherto been insufficient. Care is taken not to stop any part of any man's pay unless it is clear that he is not doing his best. The Committee will vary the amount of work required if at any time they have reason to think it is too high.
§ Mr. SNOWDENasked the President of the Local Government Board if a man whose certificate of exemption on occupational grounds is withdrawn can put forward a claim to the tribunal for exemption on conscientious grounds, if such a claim has not been previously lodged?
Mr. FISHERSpeaking generally, if the certificate was granted by a tribunal on an application made before 2nd May, an application for its renewal may be made on any of the statutory grounds, including the ground of conscientious objection, except that a man may not apply on a ground on which exemption has previously been refused or withdrawn by the tribunal. In cases where a certificate has been granted on an application made on or after 2nd May, an application for the renewal may be made only on one or more of the grounds on which the certificate was granted.