CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTION FROM TAXES FOR MILITARY PURPOSES

Early day motion 1658, tabled 15 February 2006 by Linda Riordan (Labour). Signed by 24 members.

That this House notes that on 2nd March 1916 all unmarried men aged 18 to 41 years were deemed to have enlisted in the British Army as a consequence of the Military Service Act 1916 which simultaneously introduced compulsory military service and the right to conscientious objection to military service to Great Britain for the first time; recognises that all taxpayers currently contribute a portion of their taxes to the military with no means to object on grounds of conscience; believes that 90 years after the right to withhold one's physical service to the military was first recognised by Parliament at the height of the First World War, a system to enable conscientious objectors to war not to contribute financially to the military via their taxes should be established; supports the principle of conscientious objection as a basic human right; and therefore believes the military portion of tax contributions from conscientious objectors to war should be directed to a Government-controlled fund specifically for promoting peace and security without violence.

Signatures by party: Labour 21, Plaid Cymru 1, Respect 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.