§ MR. CHARLES DEVLIN (Galway)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the Rev. P. Dooley, of Galway, was acting chaplain during the last forty years to the Catholic members of the military forces stationed in Galway; that at the end of the last quarter, as per regulations, he signed the usual form of claim for allowance; that on July 20th the officer commanding the 88th regimental depôt sent him a notice that capitation pay for Catholics attending divine service had been disallowed; and will he state the reasons leading up to the dispensing of the services of the Rev. P. Dooley and the refusal to continue capitation pay.
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERThis is an inquiry which should have been addressed in the first instance to the general officer commanding - in - chief. If it should then appear that any regulation has been violated by the officer commanding I will, upon hearing from the hon. Member, cause the matter to be looked into.
§ MR. T. M. HEALYDoes the right hon. Gentleman say that Members of this House must address themselves not to him but to the general officer commanding?
§ MR. ARNOLD FORSTERYes, Sir; I think it is absolutely necessary in the interests of the system of decentralisation which has been adopted that in the first instance inquiries should be addressed to the responsible officer. If he fails in his duty then the remedy lies with the House.
§ MR. T. M. HEALYThe right hon. Gentleman is the first War Minister who has taken up that position.