§ Mr. BENNETT-GOLDNEYalso asked the Secretary for War whether the second paragraph in the letter dated 20th March, printed on page 3 of the White Paper, from Brigadier-General Gough to the Army Council, was shown to the Cabinet the same day the letter was received; if not, if he will say when its contents were made known to the Cabinet; if he will say precisely what was the first information received from the Army Council about which General Gough says that the officers in his command require further information before being called upon at such short notice to take decisions so vitally affecting their whole future; and if he will say exactly what the decision was which those officers were so suddenly called upon by the Army Council to decide upon?
Mr. BAKERMy right hon. Friend does not think he can add anything to the statement on this subject which he made to the House last Wednesday.
§ Mr. WILLIAM YOUNGasked the Secretary for War whether he has yet received General Gough's reply as to the accuracy of his reported comments on the conduct of his superior officers as appearing in the Press of Thursday last; if so, whether General Gough accepts that 854W report as substantially accurate or not; and if not, then in what particulars it was accurate?
MARQUESS of TULLIBARDINEasked whether paragraph 255, King's Regulations, was complied with in the case of officers of the 3rd Cavalry Brigade in the recent misunderstanding of orders; and, if so, why were the papers not included in Memorandum Cd. 7318?
Mr. BAKERNo, Sir. The paragraph of the King's Regulations quoted refers to cases of resignations arising out of misconduct or circumstances affecting an officer's honour or character as a gentleman, and had no application to the recent events?
§ Mr. HUNTasked the Secretary of State for War whether General Gough has in his possession a document, signed by General Sir John French, to the effect that the Cavalry Brigade under the command of General Gough shall not be used to enforce the present Home Rule Bill on Ulster; and, if so, does this apply to the rest of the Army?
Mr. BAKERMy right hon. Friend would refer the hon. Member to the statement he made in Debate on the 25th instant.
§ Mr. NORMAN CRAIGasked what Officers of the 3rd Cavalry Brigade were relieved of their commands; whether any and what officers were appointed or sent to relieve them; and whether any and what conditions were attached to the relieving of the officers relieved, or to the appointment of the officers appointed in relief?
Mr. BAKERMy right lion. Friend has nothing to add to the statement which he made on this point on Wednesday.
§ Mr. NORMAN CRAIGalso asked what the expression to be "relieved of his command" imports in military parlance?
Mr. BAKERAn officer may be relieved of his command finally or temporarily pending an inquiry. In the latter case, should the inquiry exonerate the officer from blame, he is reinstated in his command.
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§ Mr. WALTER GUINNESSasked the Secretary for War whether he will publish correspondence or notes of any interview in which he authorised the disappearance and subsequent reinstatement of officers domiciled in Ulster in case of military operations in that province?
Mr. BAKERThere was no interview to which the hon. Gentleman's description would correctly be applicable.