§ 87. Mr. HOGGEasked the Under-Secretary for War whether General Woollcombe has now submitted to him any Report of the inquiry into the nature of the illicit commissions paid to the members of the British Empire Committee in connection with the Empire Battalion Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment); and whether he will state the nature of that Report?
§ Mr. TENNANTI have not received the Report referred to, but I am making inquiries.
§ Mr. HOGGEDoes not the right hon. Gentleman see that the imputation conveyed by this question rests on all the members of the committee, and will he consider the advisability oil calling for the Report at once?
§ Mr. TENNANTI have already done so.
§ Major BOWDENWill the right hon. Gentleman give the House his opinion as to whether the question is a fair one to ask, when these gentlemen are doing patriotic work?
§ Mr. TENNANTAs I have not yet seen the Report I am wholly unable to give a reply.
§ 88. Mr. HOGGEasked the Under-Secretary for War whether he is aware that there are one general, four major-generals, two colonels, one lieutenant-colonel, two majors, one captain, and two Members of Parliament on the general committee responsible for raising the Empire Battalion, Royal Fusiliers; and whether, in view of the fact that so many distinguished officers are connected with this and other special battalions, he can see his way to take them all over and place them under the direct control of the War Office?
§ Mr. TENNANTSteps are being taken to place this and all other local battalions under the direct control of the War Office.
§ Mr. HOGGEIs my right hon. Friend aware that there is a popular impression, from the fact that there are so many military men associated with it, that this committee is a War Office concern? Will he hurry up the matter in order that the public may be disabused of that idea?
§ Mr. TENNANTI am reluctant to believe that this committee is confused with the War Office, and I hardly think my hon. Friend seriously believes that that is the case. I have already taken steps in the matter, as I have said.
§ Major BOWDENIs it suggested that any of these eminent officers or Members of Parliament mentioned in these two questions have been guilty of taking commission?
§ Mr. TENNANTI have expressed no opinion of that kind.
§ Major BOWDENHas the suggestion been made?
§ Mr. HOGGEIs my right hon. Friend aware that the only suggestion that has so far been made is that Messrs. Devereux and Watson, who are members of the committee, have accepted illicit commissions?
§ Mr. TENNANTI think it very undesirable for a Minister to express an opinion upon a matter which has not been officially brought to his notice.