MAJOR BEAUMONTasked the Secretary of State for War, Whether it is 1971 true, as given in evidence in the course of the recent Court Martial on Captain Roberts, that a junior Infantry officer commanded the garrison of Belfast over a senior officer of one of the scientific Corps; if this was the case, whether it was not in direct violation of the Queen's Regulations, which say—
that the functions of command is to be exercised by the senior combatant officer, according to date of Army rank, and irrespective of the branch, of the Service to which he belongs;and, whether he will in that event take steps to prevent the recurrence of such irregularities?
MR. GATHORNE HARDYIn reply to the Question of the hon. and gallant Gentleman, I beg to state that the facts as stated in the Question are substantially correct. There has been an irregularity, and directions have been given to the general officer commanding in Ireland to prevent its recurrence.