HC Deb 15 June 1939 vol 348 cc1550-1W
Wing-Commander James

asked the Minister of Labour how many university students, who are in receipt of State assistance in their studies, have registered as conscientious objectors; and, having regard to the fact that at some universities more than half the students are in receipt of such subsidies, what steps he proposes to take to prevent such young men accepting State assistance on the one hand and refusing to fulfil their obligations to the State on the other hand?

Mr. E. Brown

I have no information on this subject and in view of the terms of the Military Training Act, I do not consider that it would be either possible or proper for me to give different treatment to such persons according to whether or not they hold State scholarships.

Mr. R. Gibson

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the fact that undergraduates, who had provisionally registered in the register of conscientious objectors, had been supplied with forms of application to a local tribunal, returnable on Saturday, 17th June, 1939; and as such undergraduates may now make their applications within a period, not later than one month after the conclusion of their courses of study as approved by the university, intimation will be made to such undergraduates of such extension of the period for making said applications?

Mr. E. Brown

Steps have already been taken to bring the decision to the notice of all concerned.

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