§ 38. Mr. Platts-Millsasked the Secretary of State for War on what date consent was given by the Army Council, in accordance with Article 100 of the Pay Warrant, 1940, for Brigadier J. B. Glubb, an officer of the Regular Army Reserve, to enter the service of a foreign power, namely, the Hashimite Kingdom of Transjordan.
§ Mr. ShinwellAs has been explained to the hon. Member, Brigadier Glubb is no longer a member of the Regular Army Reserve of Officers, having passed the age for liability to recall in April, 1947. He had previously served under the Colonial Office in Iraq and Trans-jordan since 1926, and was so serving when the latter country ceased to be British Mandated Territory and attained its independence in 1946. He remained with the concurrence of the Army Council until he ceased to be liable to recall.
§ Mr. Platts-MillsAs the official answers which the Secretary of State has mentioned just now have described this soldier as being a Colonial administrator, alternatively as owing obligation to the War Office and the Army Council, alternatively as being a mercenary servant to a private chieftain and elsewhere as officially seconded to the Forces of the king of a foreign Power, is it not quite clear that the Secretary of State is helping the Foreign Office to connive at the work of this soldier who is leading a war of aggression?
§ Mr. ShinwellAll I can say is that this soldier is not on my pay roll. [HON. MEMBERS: "Whose pay roll?"] He is not on the Government's pay roll. He is not on the War Office list. I thought hon. and gallant Members opposite would 263 understand what I meant. I therefore have no control over him and, as regards conniving with the Foreign Office in matters of aggression, I repudiate that entirely.
§ Mr. GallacherAre we to understand from that reply that the Secretary of State makes an indignant repudiation of having his name associated with the Foreign Office and the Foreign Secretary?
§ Mr. ShinwellI am associated with the Foreign Office because I am a Member of the Government.