Lieut.-Colonel W. GUINNESSasked the Secretary of State for India whether subsequent information shows that the statement on the subject of the Karachi troop train incident read to the House of Commons on the 1st August, 1916, by the late Secretary of State for India was inaccurate in certain particulars; whether one of the three officers then removed has since been appinted to another position of responsibility in spite of the opinion expressed by the late Secretary of State for India that none of these officers would Again be employed; and whether he is, therefore, now in a position to withdraw the censure then passed?
§ Mr. MONTAGUIn the light of subsequent information I should be inclined to modify in certain particulars the statement respecting the Karachi troop train incident which was read to this House on 1st August, 1916, by my predecessor from a telegram from the Government of India. But I regret I cannot withdraw the censure conveyed on the three senior officers concerned, for I am satisfied that they did not realise or act up to their responsibilities in connection with the incident. Two of these officers were offered a new inquiry, as the procedure of the Committee which inquired into the matter was not in strict accordance with military Regulations. The offer was not accepted. The appiontment since held by the third officer, a Royal Engineer, was a technical one, and, as my predecessor himself explained to the House on 2nd November, 1916, did not entail administrative responsibilities.