War Office Circular.

Part of Orders of the Day — Supply. — [12th Allotted Day.] – in the House of Commons at on 29 May 1919.

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I do so for the purpose of giving the Secretary of State for War an opportunity of explaining fully the purpose of the extraordinary document that was issued by his Department some time ago, and as the document itself bears out, was issued for the special information of the Secretary of State himself. The document to which I refer reads as follows. It is marked: Secret and urgent.1. I am directed to request that until further notice you will furnish information on the headings hereunder as regards the troops in your area, and that you will arrange for a report to reach this office without fail not later than first post each Thursday morning. I understand from a reply given recently that these reports are still being supplied to the Secretary of State. The points on which information was asked were—

  1. "(a) Will troops in various areas respond to orders for assistance to preserve the public peace?
  2. (b) Will they assist in' strike breaking?
  3. (c)Will they parade for draft to overseas, especially to Russia?
  4. (d)What has been the effect of Army Order XIV. of 1919 on the men? Do they consider the policy of dividing the Army into the classes demobilisables and non-demobilisables, a sound one, and, if so, do they think that the line of cleaverage has been equitably fixed. Is there any dissatisfaction with either the principles or the de tails of that Order, and, if so, what are your recommendations?
  5. (e) Any other information or suggestions.