Joseph King's war themes

A cursory review of Hansard highlights Joseph King's interests in the war effort.  His speeches are commonly concerns with the well-being of soldiers, others and the cost of the war.  There are numerous speeches that King initiated or took part in that are titled "deserters", "conscientious objectors", "nerve shaken soldiers", "court marshall prisoners", "prisoners of war", "aliens" and "military service".

Hansard, from Parliament UK

For example in 1916:

10 January 1916: 

"MR KING asked the Under Secretary of War whether he will state the number of desertions from the Army at Home reported from 4^th August, 1914, to the latest available; and whether any men have during that period been imprisoned for desertion?

MR TENNANT I do not consider that it is in the public interest to give this information, but I will ask my hon. Friend not to run away with the idea that the number of desertions during the period in question causes concern." (Hansard, HC Deb 10 January 1916 vol 77 c1276)

and also that day:

"Mr. KING 

asked whether the number of divisions contributed by this country to the land forces of the Allies has reached or has exceeded the limit laid down by the Secretary of State for War on 25th August, 1914; what definite undertakings, if any, have been given by this country to maintain a definite number of fightiog men in the field; and what is the number of battalions which have to be in training or in reserve in order to make good losses or wastage in the field abroad?

Mr. TENNANT 

My hon. Friend must be aware that it cannot be in the public interest to give this information." (

HC Deb 10 January 1916 vol 77 c1279)

On 21st February 1916:

"Mr. KING asked the Prime Minister whether, with a view to bringing the financial and military demands on the country into harmony, the question has been considered of limiting the numbers of our military and naval forces; and, if so, whether any Cabinet decision has been reached?

The PRIME MINISTER 

The relation between the military and financial requirements of the War is engaging the constant attention of the Government, and, as I stated last week, has recently been the subject of special consideration." (

HC Deb 21 February 1916 vol 80 cc432-3)

"Mr. KING 

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to an answer given by the Under-Secretary of state for war on 20th January with regard to the execution of persons in this country by the military authority within some forty-eight hours of the dismissal of the appeal by the court of criminal appeal; whether such a period admits of an appeal to the clemency of the crown and the consideration by the crown of such an appeal; and whether he will endeavour to secure consistency of practice in this respect as between the war office and the home office?

The PRIME MINISTER 

In every case where an appeal to the clemency of the Crown has been made the execution has been postponed in order that the appeal may receive full consideration. Prisoners of this class are always assisted by experienced counsel and solicitors, who are free to give any advice they may consider necessary or desirable regarding the matter of appeals." (

HC Deb 21 February 1916 vol 80 c437W)