§ 53. Brigadier-General CROFTasked the Prime Minister whether the Government will now grant inquiries into the cases of general officers who were relieved of their commands during the War without any reasons being given and without any opportunity of defence?
Captain GUESTI would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to my reply to a similar question asked by the hon. Member for South Down on 26th February, to the effect that it would be impossible to proceed otherwise than under the existing law.
§ Mr. G. TERRELLIs he aware that there are a great number of cases of officers who are suffering from the circumstances suggested in the question which renders it desirable that inquiries should be held?
Captain GUESTThe answer was very full on the last occasion, but I can partly repeat it. It was to the effect that nearly all these cases would involve an inquiry into the question of efficiency, in regard to which opinions naturally differ, and that it would involve an enormous number of witnesses.
§ Mr. TERRELLIt is not possible, now that the actual fighting is over, to go into these cases; is it not better to go into these cases than that officers should be retired, and perhaps lose the results of a hard life's work?
§ Brigadier-General CROFTIs it not a fact that the conditions are now entirely changed, and may I ask whether, in the case of general officers on whom there have been no reports, there cannot be inquiries held at the earliest possible date?