§ 47. Mr. JAMES HOPEasked the Home Secretary if he will state why, in contemplation of military duty in Ulster, an option to disappear was given to officers domiciled in Ulster but not to non-commissioned officers and men in the same position?
§ Mr. McKENNAShould the occasion arise any such option as is referred to in the question which might be given to officers would be given also to non-commissioned officers and men.
§ Mr. JAMES HOPEWhy was it not given on the occasion when it did arise?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe point had not been considered. It had not reached the stage on that occasion at which it might have been considered.
§ Mr. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINDid not the Prime Minister tell this House that though it might be a new precedent it was one which the Government had directed should be always followed?
§ Mr. McKENNAThat was the substance of the answer I have given.
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINThen why, in this case, was it not followed?
§ Mr. McKENNABecause the occasion had not fully arisen.
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINHad not the occasion arisen to ask the question, or to give the option to the officers, and since occasion had arisen to give the option to the officers, why had it not arisen to give it to the non-commissioned officers?
§ Mr. McKENNABecause proceedings had been begun with the object of ascertaining the number of officers who might claim the option, but proceedings had not gone further.
§ Mr. JAMES HOPEHow was it, if the occasion had arisen for considering the consciences of the officers, it had riot arisen for considering the consciences of the men?
§ 88. Sir CHARLES HUNTERasked what instructions were given to Major-General Sir C. Macready when he was sent to Belfast; and if the same instructions were given to the general commanding the troops there?
§ Mr. McKENNASir Nevil Macready was sent to report on certain points to the Government. He has now returned.
§ Mr. J. WARDDid the right hon. Gentleman say that this general received instructions to visit the right hon. and learned Member for Dublin University?
§ Mr. McKENNANo, Sir.
§ Mr. J. WARDDid he do so?
§ 91. Mr. GEORGE TERRELLasked whether on any day in March prior to the 20th March any, and, if any, what instructions were given to Sir Arthur Paget to convene a meeting of the officers under his command for the purpose of obtaining an undertaking as to their course of action in the event of the military forces of the Crown being employed in Ulster?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe answer is in the negative.
§ Mr. G. TERRELLWill the right hon. Gentleman state what instructions were given?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe only answer that I can give to the question on the Paper is in the negative.
§ 94. Sir JOHN JARDINEasked whether General Gough has resumed command of the Cavalry Brigade at the Curragh; and whether he now serves under any terms or conditions different front those of other officers in relation to the contingency of the Government of Ireland Bill becoming an Act of Parliament?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe reply to the first part is in the affirmative, and to the second in the negative.
§ 97. Mr. CASSELasked Whether hypothetical questions as to what they would do in certain contingencies have been asked of officers other than those at the Curragh, and, if so, where and to what extent; and were any such questions put on written or printed forms or in writing?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe Government have no knowledge of any such questions.