§ 26. Lieut.-Colonel Sir Thomas Mooreasked the Secretary of State for War whether there is any regulation which permits senior officers to travel in forward areas of battle without adequate protection; and, if not, will he take steps to rectify this dangerous state of affairs?
§ Mr. LawThe presence of senior officers in forward areas of battle is often essential if they are to maintain control of the situation. It is neither possible nor desirable to attempt to define by regulation what degree of protection would be adequate for such officers in these conditions. The question is one which must be left to the discretion of the individual commander, in the light of the circumstances prevailing at the time.
§ Mr. Garro JonesIn the case referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend, the capture of three general officers of high standing, was not the real trouble the fact that they thought the forward area was more than 200 miles distant from them; and does not that indicate a serious lack of intelligence, demanding the attention of the War Office?
§ Mr. LawThat is another question. My hon. and gallant Friend's Question was about whether some steps were necessary to control the movements of senior officers in forward areas. I indicated that this was not desirable.