HC Deb 05 February 1908 vol 183 c853
MR. BOWLES (Lambeth, Norwood)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, whether he can inform the House what are precisely the duties of the newly appointed Commander-in-Chief in the Mediterranean; are these duties defined by Order in Council, and, if not, how otherwise; do they import any, and if so, what alteration into the authority and functions of the Naval Commander-in-Chief in the Mediterranean; and is the paramount authority over naval movements in the Mediterranean now exercised by the new Commander-in-Chief.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. HALDANE,) Haddington

It has not been considered necessary to define the duties of the new Commander-in-Chief of the British troops in the Mediterranean by Order in Council. If the hon. Member will kindly refer to a reply which I gave to a Question put on 8th August last by the hon. and gallant Member for the Abercrombie Division of Liverpool he will find a full explanation of the nature of these duties. They do not in any respect affect the authority or functions of the Naval Commander-in-Chief in the Mediterranean.