§ 17. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Secretary of State for War what disciplinary action has been taken against high-ranking officers at the War Office following the discovery of a state of military unpreparedness at the time of Suez.
§ Mr. SoamesI do not accept the premise of the Question, and the answer is "None, Sir".
§ Mr. HughesIs the Minister aware that the premise is not mine, but that of his own brother-in-law, Mr. Randolph Churchill? If he does not live on the same premises, cannot he at least accept them? Is he aware that this statement was made that we have been in a state of military unpreparedness, which was staggering and humiliating, and, while we are not anxious to send anybody in the War Office to Shepton Mallet for five years, does he not agree that it should have been looked into?
§ Mr. SoamesNo, I do not.