asked whether Private Ashton, 3/10th Battalion, County of London Regiment, a, conscientious objector, now an inmate of Long Grove Asylum, has been discharged from the Army?

I should be glad if my hon. Friend would furnish the soldier's regimental number.

asked the Home Secretary if he will have immediate inquiry made into the state of health of William Sandles, a conscientious objector, confined in Newcastle Prison, and who is reported to have been confined to bed for the last month; and whether lie will consider the man's discharge?

I have called for a report on this prisoner's health, and find that his present condition affords no ground for discharge. He was under treatment for a time, apparently for rheumatism, but it appears that he is now fit for exercise and is doing his work.

asked the Home Secretary why Geoffrey E. Hicks, a conscientious objector, employed at the Works Centre, Wakefield, and who has a record of twelve months' good service, has not been permitted to take up exceptional employment under the new concession; and will he reconsider this case?

A conscientious objector qualifies for exceptional employment by twelve months' good conduct and industry. It is for the Committee on Employment of Conscientious Objectors to decide after full consideration of each man's record whether he is so qualified, and I cannot interfere with the exercise of their discretion in this matter.

Could the right hon. Gentleman say why a distinction is made between these conscientious objectors, some of them being given and others not being given the opportunity of exceptional employment?

If the privilege is refused, it must be because the man cannot qualify by good conduct and industry.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he will have immediate inquiry made into the physical condition of James Boyd, a conscientious objector, in Barlinnie Prison; if he will ascertain if the prison doctor has declared him to be medically unfit for the Army; and whether, in the circumstances, he will follow the precedent adopted by the Home Office in similar cases and recommend to the War Office the man's discharge?

I am obtaining a medical report on the case referred to, and will consider the suggestion contained in the question when I receive it.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the general opinion held is that he is not quite so lenient with these conscientious objectors as his colleague for England?

I am quite unaware of that fact, if it be a fact.

asked the Undersecretary of State for War if he is aware that at Mullingar, where the 3rd Royal Scots are located, a travelling medical board was held recently, and that the commanding officer sat with the board, and when the men were brought forward he gave information in regard to the duties the men were performing; and if, in view of the influence which the presence of the commanding officer is likely to have upon the decision of the medical board, he will give instructions that commanding officers must not be present at these medical examinations?

I am unable to adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion. The commanding officer knows more of his men than any other officer, and if is in the interest of the Service and of the men that the regulation was made.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office how much money has been expended on the printing of Army Form 3,529; whether the expenditure has been of practical Army use; and, if so, in what way it has been useful?

The purpose of the Army Form was to acquaint Class P Reservists with their position under Army Order 366 of 1916 in case of recall to the Colours. The notification was made in the interest of the men affected, so as to avoid misapprehension, and thus was of practical Army use. The Regulation prohibiting the issue of pensions on recall to the Colours was subsequently revised, thus rendering the form in question obsolete. The first part of the question should be addressed to the Treasury.

Can the hon. Gentleman say why the men were required to sign it?

I must ask my hon. Friend to put that question to my right hon. Friend.