§ 8. Major McMICKINGasked the Secretary of State for India whether the statements read to the House of Commons on the 1st August, 1916, by the late Secretary of State for India with reference to Major- General Shaw, General Officer Commanding, Karachi, were founded upon the Report of a Committee appointed to inquire into the Karachi troop-train incident; whether the procedure of that Committee is admitted to have been irregular and that it did not inquire into Major-General Shaw's share of responsibility in the matter; and, in view of the facts that the responsibility rested mainly upon Indian Army Headquarters and that Major- General Shaw obeyed all orders issued to him, whether he will withdraw the censure passed upon this gallant officer?
§ Mr. MONTAGUI would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer I made on the 22nd May to the question of the hon. and gallant Member for Bury St. Edmunds.
§ Major McMICKINGIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that General Shaw in his memorial completely refutes the allegations made against him on 1st August, 1916, and that he has received no reply to his memorial? Under these circumstances, will the hon. Gentleman lay the 1187 memorial and papers relating to the Karachi troop-train incident on the Table of the House?
§ Mr. MONTAGUI shall be obliged if my hon. and gallant Friend will put that question down. The question on the Paper asks me to withdraw the censure passed upon this officer. I replied to the hon. Member for Bury St. Edmunds that I think the censure was in substance justified. I am not prepared to withdraw it.
Lieut.-Colonel W. GUINNESSSeeing that the original charges made in this House have since been admitted in certain particulars to have been unfounded, would it not be more consistent with fair play in the matter for the right hon. Gentleman to withdraw the censure altogether, instead of shifting his ground?
§ Mr. MONTAGUNo, Sir; I do not think it would. There are certain facts in the censure which might be modified as a result of subsequent information, but the censure itself would still remain; and, as the hon. and gallant Gentleman knows, the officer was offered another inquiry, which he did not accept.
Lieut.-Colonel GUINNESSIs it not the fact that in offering that inquiry the right hon. Gentleman said he was satisfied the officer was to blame? What would be the use of accepting an inquiry when the Government is apparently not prepared to stand by the result of it?
§ Mr. MONTAGUI do not think I said I was not prepared to stand by the result.
§ Major M'MICKINGIs it not the fact that there has been no Court of Inquiry? What is an officer to do if he is censured in the course of discussion in this House?
§ Mr. MONTAGUThere were certain irregularities in the Court of Inquiry. I offered the gallant officer another inquiry. He has not accepted that. I know of no other course.
Lieut.-Colonel GUINNESSIs not obviously the proper course to withdraw the censure before the right hon. Gentleman gives a further Court of Inquiry.
§ Mr. MONTAGUThe offer of another Court of Inquiry was made eighteen months ago. The officer has not accepted it during that time. If I am asked to withdraw the censure before the Inquiry I am satisfied there is no ground for that request.
Lieut.-Colonel GUINNESSWill the right hon. Gentleman withdraw the censure on condition that this gallant officer accepts the further inquiry?
§ Mr. MONTAGUIf my hon. and gallant Friend suggests that I have to say here that I do not think the censure was justified I am afraid I cannot do that.