§ 46. Mr. ELLIS DAVIESasked the Prime Minister whether he will cause the full Report of the Court which inquired into the case of General Owen Thomas to be published, and also the evidence tendered to the Court?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONIt is not proposed to make any further publication of documents relating to the cases into which this Court was appointed to inquire.
§ Mr. DAVIESIn view of that answer will the hon. Gentleman explain to the House why General Sir Owen Thomas was removed, and whether it was owing to inefficiency as stated on 28th June, or owing to military rearrangements as stated on 23rd December; and whether, in view of the fact that General Sir Owen Thomas has been charged in this House with inefficiency, he will now state to the House that that charge was not substantiated, or in the alternative publish the Report fully so that the House may judge for itself?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONAs the hon. Gentleman will remember, I made a very full statement with regard to General Sir Owen Thomas in the statement I made before the rising of the House in December. He will also remember that I pointed out that General Sir Owen Thomas's conduct was cleared, and my hon. Friend will excuse me if I remind him that only yesterday he appeared in the Honours List.
§ Mr. DAVIESMay I ask whether or not Sir Owen Thomas was removed owing to inefficiency, or in view of certain rearrangements in military matters, and if he has been cleared let the hon. Member say so?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI cannot add anything to the very full answer which I have given.
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI do not think it is in the public interest to publish it. I think we have published sufficient to justify the disciplinary action which was taken.
§ Mr. DAVIESIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall go into this matter on the Motion for Adjournment on Tuesday next.