§ 12. Major D. DAVIESasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether certain officers who were sent home from France in connection with the military operations at Cambrai have since returned to the front and resumed their previous commands; and whether he proposes to take any action regarding this matter
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI can add nothing to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the 15th instant.
§ Major DAVIESAs a statement has appeared in the Press to the effect that certain officers had been sent home and that afterwards they had returned to their duties at the Front, I wish to know if there is any truth in these statements?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. and gallant Gentleman should put that question on the Paper.
§ Mr. PRINGLEIs my hon. Friend not aware that those statements in the Press are submitted to censorship in his office, and in view of those statements appearing in the Press under censorship, is it not necessary to have an official statement on the matter?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI think I can safely say that I know of no commanding officer having been sent home.
§ General M'CALMONTMay I ask whether in the public interest he will consider the possibility, if any officers have been removed from their commands, of saying so without mention of the names, and thus allaying public anxiety?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONAs I have just said, so far as my information goes, I think I am accurate in saying that no superior officer has been sent home.