§ Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that H. G. Sarah, a Wesleyan conscientious objector, who has been in prison or detention since July, 1916, and was released from Wandsworth prison under the Prisoners (Temporary Discharge for Ill-Health) Act in January last, was re-arrested on 3rd March when suffering from a, bad influenza cold and is now in Plymouth civil prison; whether he is also aware that this man is hunger-striking and is in a very poor state of health; and if he will order his final release on health grounds?
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§ Mr. SHORTTThis prisoner was again released under the Act in question on the 21st instant. He is due to return to prison on the 18th April if his state of health permits of it, but it is open to him to furnish medical evidence before that date in support of an application for an extension of the period of discharge.
§ Mr. HARTSHORNasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that Isaac Britton, a conscientious objector who was arrested in October, 1916, is at present in Maidstone civil prison and is in a very bad nervous condition and suffering severely from heart trouble; and whether he will order this man's release on health grounds?
§ Mr. SHORTTThere is no medical ground on which this prisoner could be released. He is reported to be in sound health, and on medical examination shows no signs of heart trouble or nervous breakdown.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Home Secretary whether he will order an inquiry into the state of health of H. S. Britton, a conscientious objector who has been in prison or detention ever since November, 1916, and is obviously much broken in health?
§ Mr. SHORTTI have made inquiry and find that this prisoner is in good health, mentally and physically, and fit for military service. He himself does not support the allegation that his health has suffered.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Home Secretary whether he will order an inquiry into the state of health of F. J. Ballard, who is serving his third sentence of hard labour in Wandsworth Gaol and appeared to be very ill when giving evidence in the recent inquiry?
§ Mr. SHORTTThis prisoner has had an attack of bronchial catarrh, but is making a good recovery, and there is no apparent foundation for the allegations of ill-health.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that A. W. Butler, a conscientious objector, who has been court-martialled four times on account of his religious objection to military service, is at present in a very weak state of health in Wandsworth Prison; and whether he will call for a report?
§ Mr. SHORTTI have called for a report, and find the prisoner is not in weak health and shows no sign of having suffered physically or mentally from imprisonment.
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§ Mr. LUNNasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that Albert Trenwith, a conscientious objector, of forty-nine-years of age, is suffering severely from rheumatism in Wormwood Scrubs Prison; and whether he will have inquiries made with a view to this man's release on health grounds?
§ Mr. SHORTTI have authorised this man's discharge upon medical grounds.
§ Mr. HANCOCKasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will recommend the release of Captain John Hunter, now imprisoned at Maidstone as a conscientious objector, seeing he has done two years' fighting, proved himself a brave man, and is suffering from shell-shock, which probably is the cause of him being where he is?
Captain GUESTI asked my hon. Friend to let me have particulars of the officer's regiment and battalion. If he will do so, I will have inquiries made.