HC Deb 08 April 1914 vol 60 cc1972-3W
Mr. HENRY TERRELL

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether in the White Paper (Cd. 7318), paragraphs 2 and 3, the words "unreasonable" and "outrageous" are used as synonymous terms; who, in case a command is given to troops to act in support of the civil power in the event of disturbances, is, according to the King's Regulations, to determine whether the command is reasonable or not, the commanding officer, subordinate officers, or the rank and file; and whether a subordinate officer, believing that an order to fire given by his commanding officer is unreasonable, is entitled to refuse to give the order to the men under his immediate command?

Mr. TENNANT

I should not describe the words as synonymous but as cumulative andejusdem generis. As to the rest of the question, I would refer the hon. and learned Gentleman to paragraphs 963, 964, 965, and 966, of the King's Regulations, and to the Appendix to Chapter 13 of the Manual of Military Law.