§ MR. CHARLES DEVLIN (Galway)To ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies if the Earl of Dundonald has been relieved of his position as General Officer Commanding the Militia in Canada; and, if so, what were the reasons leading to this step; have any representations on the subject been made by His Majesty's Government to the Govenor-General of Canada with the view of preventing action in this matter by the Canadian authorities and whether, in view of previous difficulties between the Canadian Government and General Officers Commanding the Militia in Canada, the mode of appointment of such officers has formed the subject of discussion between the Home and Canadian authorities; whether the Canadian Government have suggested a change in the procedure; and, if so, is it now the intention of the Government to make the changes suggested.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Lyttelton.) It is the fact that the Earl of Dundonald has 464 been relieved of his position as General Officer Commanding the Militia in Canada by the Canadian Government. The reasons are stated in an Order of the Privy Council of Canada which has appeared in the Press. No representations were made by His Majesty's Government to the Governor-General of Canada in the matter. The matter of the mode of appointment of General Officers Commanding the Militia in Canada has not been a subject of discussion, and no suggestions as to a change in the procedure have been made by the Canadian Government.