§ 46. Mr. CLOUGHasked the Prime Minister whether Brigadier-General 323 Gough himself wrote out the phrase—but they have no intention whatever of taking advantage of this right to crush political opposition to the policy or principles of the Home Rule Bill—and whether Earl Roberts orally threatened to resign his office of field-marshal unless General Gough's demands were conceded?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe answer to both parts of the question is in the negative.
§ 48. Mr. JAMES HOPEasked the Prime Minister whether any Howitzer Battery or batteries were moved or were under orders to be ready to move in Ireland, and were they confined to barracks for any days between the 14th and 23rd March of this year?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe reply to both parts of the question is in the negative.
§ Mr. JAMES HOPEThere are three parts to the question.
§ The PRIME MINISTERTo all parts.
§ 51. Mr. AMERYasked the Prime Minister whether he proposes to arrange for a judicial inquiry into the circumstances connected with the recently contemplated military operations in Ulster, and with the resignation and reinstatement of General Gough and other officers?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI see no sufficient grounds for such an inquiry.
§ Lord ROBERT CECILHas the right hon. Gentleman in making that reply borne in mind the very large number of reports and statements that are being made on this subject?
§ Mr. OUTHWAITEAre the Government taking any steps to allay the panic amongst the 100,000 Ulster volunteers in Ulster caused by the movement of 200 or 300 soldiers?
§ 52. Mr. AMERYasked the Prime Minister whether General Gough has yet received any official notification of the Government's repudiation of the written 324 assurance given him in the Army Council's Memorandum of 23rd March; and, if so, whether he will publish the document containing the notification?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo, Sir.
§ Mr. AMERYIs the House to understand that General Gough is still in the position in which he was left by the assurance given by the Army Council?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThat question has already been answered. It was answered last week by my right hon. Friend.
§ Mr. AMERYI understand the Prime Minister to say that no official notification was given to General Gough; in that case, how is General Gough to know that the assurance has been repudiated?
§ The PRIME MINISTERIn the circumstances, and having regard to all that has happened and to the announcement which has been made in the House, it does not seem necessary to add anything.
§ Mr. AMERYOwing to the unsatisfactory nature of the answer, I propose to raise the question on the Motion for the adjournment of the House.
§ 54 and 55. Mr. AMERYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty (1) on what date orders were given to the fourth destroyer flotilla to proceed to Lamlash, and if he will give these orders; at what precise time the destroyers left Southampton; what precise time on 21st March the countermanding orders were sent; and (2) at what date orders were given to the "Attentive" and "Pathfinder" to proceed to Kingstown to convey troops to Carrickfergus; and if he will give these orders?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)I must refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given by the First Lord to the Noble Lord the Member for Portsmouth on the 25th March, adding this further information, that the destroyers sailed from Southampton Water at 7.30 a.m. on the 325 21st. The countermanding orders were issued at 7.15 p.m. on the same evening, and the destroyers arrived back in Southampton Water at S.50 a.m. the following morning. With regard to No. 55, I must refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the First Lord to the hon. Member for Thanet on the 30th March. The orders in question were given on the 19th March.
§ 60. Mr. CLOUGHasked the Postmaster-General the number of cypher and other Telegrams which were dispatched from the Curragh to the right hon. Member for Bootle, to the right hon. and learned Member for Dublin University, and to the Unionist headquarters in London, respectively, from 18th March to 31st March, 1914?
§ The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. Hobhouse)It would be improper for me to divulge to my hon. Friend any particulars of the telegrams in question, if any such telegrams there be, without the consent either of the senders or of the addressees.
§ Mr. BONAR LAWAs this question makes a personal reflection both on myself and on the Central Office of our party, I desire to say that no communication of any kind, either by telegram or letter; passed from myself or from any member of our association.