§ 59. Sir HENRY CRAIKasked the Under-Secretary for War whether his attention has been called to a speech by Major-General Sir Francis Lloyd on 21st 1468 June in which that gentleman gave expression to partisan opinion on the question of compulsory and voluntary service, and condemned those who held opinions different from his own; whether it is a well-understood rule that officers on full pay should not publicly discuss political questions; whether that rule has been frequently enforced to check the advocacy of universal service; and whether the same rule will be applied to the gentleman in question, who is now in command of the London District?
§ Mr. TENNANTThe gallant officer referred to, in expressing his admiration of the men who are coming forward under the existing conditions of voluntary enlistment, was supporting the system under which he is serving, and he assures me that he uttered no condemnation of those differing from himself. This is the more apparent, inasmuch as he expressed no views of his own at all, but merely appealed to his hearers to talk less and do more. I venture to think, therefore, that no construction of this into an expression of partisan opinions is justified.
§ Sir H. CRAIKMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman if Sir Francis Lloyd repudiates the report of his speech that appeared in the newspapers, in which it is reported that he did condemn others, that he used very violent language, and said the utterances of others drove him stark mad?
§ Mr. TENNANTSir Francis Lloyd has afforded me an opportunity of seeing what he did say, written with his own hand, and in that statement there appears no condemnation of any other person's opinions at all. What I understand he meant by "drove him stark mad" was that persons should be occupied at the present moment in discussing matters in the air, and not acting on powers which they have at present.
§ Sir H. CRAIKWill it be open to officers on full pay who hold different views from Sir Francis Lloyd to express themselves freely?
§ Mr. TENNANTWhat I am endeavouring to make the hon. Member understand is that Sir Francis Lloyd expressed no opinion of his own at all.
§ Sir H. CRAIKDoes he repudiate it?
§ Mr. TENNANTHe repudiates the false report.
§ Sir H. CRAIKThe whole report?
§ Mr. TENNANTI do not know exactly what appeared in the newspapers. He told me what he had said, and I have given a short description to the hon. Gentleman. It would not be open to any officer to express opinions on current political affairs.
§ Sir H. CRAIKIs it not well known that Sir Francis Lloyd has repeatedly, in my own presence, expressed strong partisan views?
§ Mr. TENNANTI have no knowledge of that kind, but if the hon. Member will bring a specific instance to my notice I will certainly look into it.
§ Mr. PRINGLECan the right hon. Gentleman say whether it is not the case that officers on full pay have expressed opinions directly opposite to those expressed by Sir Francis Lloyd, and whether it is only when an officer on full pay supports the official policy of the Government that he is to be made subject to disciplinary treatment?
§ Mr. TENNANTI should be sorry to believe that.