§ 24. Sir NEWTON MOOREasked the Secretary of State for War whether any records exist in his Department as to orders issued by general officers of the Australian forces during the Great War as to penalties that would be inflicted upon machine gunners who might be guilty of quitting their posts; and, if so, whether he will state them to the House?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON- EVANSThere are no records of any such orders.
§ Sir N. MOOREIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that one hon. and gallant Member made a statement that in the Australian Machine Gun Corps an order was issued that any man leaving his post would be shot? As a matter of fact, has he any information as regards that order?
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYOn a point of Order. May I ask whether the hon. Member has given notice to my colleague the hon. and gallant Member for North-West Hull (Lieut.-Colonel Lambert Ward) intimating that he intended to raise this question?
§ Sir N. MOOREI did so three or four days ago. I recognise the hon. and gallant Member's courtesy in alluding to it.
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSI have conferred with my hon. and gallant Friend who made the statement in the House, and both he and I are satisfied that the document he saw did not necessarily bear the interpretation put upon it.