§ MR. MARKHAM (Nottinghamshire, Mansfield)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War will he say on what date he communicated with Lord Dundonald, recalling this officer from Canada, and by virtue of what powers, under the Army Regulations, he can enforce this order.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Arnold-Forster.) The Sessional Papers of the Dominion Parliament containing the correspondence between various members of the Colonial Government and Major-General the Earl of Dundonald were received at the War Office on the 9th instant, and were considered by the Army Council. Various questions as to Lord Dundonald's position as a half-pay officer had to be examined. On the 18th July the Secretary of State decided, in view of all the facts, that it was expedient that Lord Dundonald should be recalled and asked for an explanation), and that his attention should be called to the paragraph of the King's Regulations forbidding officers from speaking publicly or attending public meetings. A telegram was in consequence approved and ordered to be despatched early on the 19th instant. Under Section 175 (1) of the Army Act officers of the Regular Forces on the Active List, within the meaning of any Royal Warrant for regulating the pay and promotion of the Regular Forces, are subject to military law; and under the Royal Warrant for Pay, 1900, the Active List includes officers who are on temporary half-pay. Lord Dundonald is, therefore, subject to military law, and accordingly must obey any lawful order.