§ 63. Mr. R. McNEILLasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he has yet been able to ascertain that, a fortnight before the Germans began to use poisonous gas as a weapon of war, the official eye-witness with the British Army stated that a warning had been received of the enemy's intention to use it; and if he will say what steps were taken in consequence of that warning to supply our troops with protection against the gas?
§ Mr. TENNANTAs a regular practice, prisoners are interrogated by the Staff at the front. Any such statement as that, referred to would be considered by the military authorities with reference to any possible action. I am not aware, however, that this prisoner gave information as to which of the many possible gases his compatriots would use, and it would hardly have been possible in a fortnight to have provided protection against all possible kinds of gases.
§ Lord ROBERT CECILWere any steps taken to provide protection?
§ Mr. TENNANTThe officers in command at the front did not make any application for any form of protection.
§ Lord ROBERT CECILWas any intimation conveyed during the earlier period of the War that the Germans were likely to use gas?
§ Mr. TENNANTThere was no warning at all conveyed to the War Office. If any warning was conveyed, it was conveyed to officers at the front.
§ Mr. McNEILLDid these officers convey it to the War Office?
§ Mr. TENNANTThey did not.