§ MR. JOSEPH A. PEASE (Essex, Saffron Walden)I beg to ask the 574 Secretary of State for War whether the Court of Inquiry promised Major-General Truman can compel other than military witnesses to attend; and if other than military witnesses cannot be compelled to attend; whether the Government can see their way to appoint some other tribunal than that proposed, so that a complete investigation can be made into the charges alleged against Major-General Truman.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. BRODRICK, Surrey, Guildford)There is no power to compel civilian witnesses to attend the Court of Inquiry. As I have already explained to the House, a Military Court of inquiry is the proper and legal way of dealing with an officer in General Truman's position. I have no doubt that they will elicit the facts, and every facility will be given them for so doing.
§ MR. JOSEPH A. PEASEDoes the right hon. Gentleman think that the civilian witnesses are not necessary in order to clear up the charges made against General Truman?
§ MR. BRODRICKsaid he had no doubt that civilian witnesses would be called. It was only a question of compelling the civilian witnesses who might be recalcitrant.
§ CAPTAIN NORTON (Newington, W.)Surely Court - martials have no power to call for the attendance of civilian witnesses?
§ [No answer was given.]