asked the President whether the Committee of Enquiry into Army matters has yet held a sitting for the purpose of taking evidence; whether any evidence has yet been taken by the Committee, and if any such sitting has yet been held why has no notification of intention to hold such sitting been sent to myself or to any of the three officers against whom also charges are alleged.
PRIVATE NOTICE QUESTION. - ENQUIRY INTO ARMY MATTERS.
I am informed that the Committee of Enquiry has held four sittings. These were devoted in the main to questions of procedure, and to ascertaining the sources from which information bearing upon the subject matter of the Enquiry could be obtained. If any charge is made involving any individual he will be afforded an opportunity of answering it.
Does the President think that that is a fulfilment of the assurance given to Deputy General Mulcahy that the officers concerned will be entitled to be present or to be represented at the sittings?
I do not know that there is any departure in the answer I have given to the statement I previously made.
On a point of explanation, I may say that since asking this question I received a letter asking me to appear before the Committee to-morrow morning at 11 o'clock, and I hope then to elucidate some of the points Deputy Johnson refers to.