§ Mr. AMERYasked the Prime Minister whether, as he has now published the record of the verbal instructions given to Sir A. Paget on the 18th March, he will also publish the record of the verbal instructions given to Sir A. Paget on the 19th March, in fulfilment of the promise given by him on the 24th March?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe memorrandum is as follows.—
"I discussed the question of officers' resignations with the Chief of the Imperial General Staff, the Adjutant-General, and Sir Arthur Paget yesterday. Sir A. Paget, strongly urged that in the few exceptional cases where officers have direct family connection with the disturbed area in Ulster, so that in the event of serious trouble arising their future private relations might be irretrievably compromised if they were engaged with our troops, they should be permitted to remain behind either on leave or with details. Sir John French and Sir Spencer Ewart having expressed their concurrence with this view, it was decided that this course should be followed.
In all other cases Sir A. Paget wished to be able to say that any officer hesitating to comply with orders or threatening 451W to resign should be removed. Sir John French was of opinion that such officers should be court-martialled, a view which he had urged upon me a year ago. Upon Sir Spencer Ewart pointing out the technical difficulties and delay that might be involved, Sir John French agreed for the present that removal should be the course followed. Sir John French and Sir Spencer Ewart agree to this memorandum.—J.S. 20.3.14."