10. Major DAVIESasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the general appointed as chairman of the inquiry now being held into the distribution of medical officers with the British Armies in France had retired upon half-pay in 1898; whether he afterwards returned to the Service and again retired in 1909; whether he returned again and was appointed Inspector-General of Infantry in 1914; whether he has any special knowledge of the medical branch of the Service; and, if not, what are the reasons for his selection?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONThe circumstances to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers were known when the officer in question was selected. His intimate knowledge of the Army in peace and war, and his tact in dealing -with situations that might arise, marked him out as the best chairman for a Committee partly composed of civilians who had no knowledge of Army organisation and methods.