§ Mr. BENNETT-GOLDNEYasked the Secretary of State for War what instructions were given to General Sir Arthur Paget between the time when he received the letter from the Army Council, dated 14th March, and the time when he wrote the telegram, received 7 p.m. on 20th March; whether these instructions included an order to move the regiments of the 3rd Cavalry Brigade North; and, if not, if he will explain why General Sir Arthur Paget reported that, if they were ordered North, the officers of this brigade preferred dismissal?
Mr. BAKERI would refer the hon. Gentleman to the statement my right hon. Friend made on Monday last, in which he gave full details of all the movements of troops which were ordered. No order was given to move the 3rd Cavalry Brigade.
§ Mr. WALTER GUINNESSasked whether General Sir Arthur Paget accepted the orders recently issued on the subject of military operations in Ireland without protest or did he tender his own resignation?
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§ Mr. NORMAN CRAIGnext asked the Secretary for War what consideration led him to instruct General Paget, on the 20th March, 1914, to refuse all resignations of officers?
Mr. BAKERThese instructions were given in conformity with the principles laid down at the conference with general officers commanding-in-chief as stated in the first section of the White Paper.
§ Mr. WALTER GUINNESSasked the Secretary for War whether any shorthand notes were taken of the interview between the Secretary of State for War and General Sir Arthur Paget, at which steps for carrying out the movements mentioned in the letter of the Army Council to Sir Arthur Paget, of the 14th March, were discussed; and, if so, whether he will publish them?