§ Colonel ASHLEY(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for War whether the Army Council have decided to restore Brigadier-General Dyer to the Army?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Mr. Churchill)No, there is no truth in that statement, which has been published in a great number of newspapers. The Army Council are still awaiting a statement which Brigadier-General Dyer is being allowed to submit. He expressed an opinion that he would be able to make his statement by Wednesday last, the 16th, but he asked for a few more days' delay to enable him to complete his statement. That is how the matter stands. All statements to the contrary are without any kind of foundation.
§ Colonel ASHLEYWhen the statement is investigated, will the Army Council be able to come to a decision on that statement, or will there have to be a further Court of Investigation?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThat would be prejudging the discussion which is going to take place.
§ Sir D. MACLEANIn view of what the right hon. Gentleman knows of the progress of the proceedings before the Army Council, is there any likelihood that the Debate on this subject will not take place next Monday?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLYes. I think that there is a considerable chance that we shall not be able to have the Debate next Monday. We certainly ought not to take any course which appears to deny reasonable facilities for the preparation of the statement, nor do I suppose for one moment that there would be any intentional delay in making the statement; and after that there should be a certain period for consideration and discussion by the Army Council. I think it quite possible that I shall have to ask my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House to make representations to those concerned to postpone the discussion for a little longer in both Houses of Parliament.