§ 50. Commander BELLAIRSasked the Prime Minister whether the Government adhere to the exposition of the law by the Lord Chancellor when, as Attorney-General, on 12th July, 1917, he laid down, in connection with the Report of the Mesopotamia Commission, the statutory rights of an officer protecting him from punishment on the report of an inquiry which did not comply with the statutory rights this officer possessed under the law?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe statement referred to in the question was perfectly correct, and applies still to the cases with which it is concerned. It has no relation to cases where all that is in question is the exercise of an administrative discretion.
§ Commander BELLAIRSIs it not a fact that General Dyer was punished by the British and Indian Governments and deprived of his command on the Report of the Hunter Committee, which did not comply with the statutory powers?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe answer to which my hon. Friend refers has reference to the legal rights, and the legal rights do not apply.
§ Commander BELLAIRSWas it not directly stated that they were taking action on the Report of the Hunter Committee?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWWe were taking action in the ordinary way.