HC Deb 06 April 1914 vol 60 cc1629-30
107. MARQUESS of TULLIBARDINE

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether proposals were put before Field Marshal Sir John French and General Sir Spencer Ewart, in writing, by any Member of the Cabinet, with a view to stopping their resignations and to compensating them for the letter they signed to General Gough under misapprehension; and, if so, if the contents of such documents or document may be communicated to the House?

Mr. McKENNA

Whatever communications may have taken place between any Member of the Cabinet and the two officers mentioned were purely private and unofficial.

MARQUESS of TULLIBARDINE

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if the Lord Chancellor made any specific offer?

Mr. McKENNA

I cannot add anything to the statement that the communications, if any, that took place were purely private and unofficial.

MARQUESS of TULLIBARDINE

Were they shown to the Cabinet afterwards?

Mr. McKENNA

I cannot acid anything to the statement I have made.

Mr. RUPERT GWYNNE

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether it is customary for Members of the Cabinet to make purely unofficial communications of this kind?

Mr. McKENNA

With personal friends it is not unusual.