§ 88. Captain AMERYasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether Lieutenant-Colonel J. W. Barrett, Australian Medical Corps, occupied the Imperial appointments of Assistant Director of Medical Services on the staff of the Director of Medical Services, Egypt, and consulting oculist to His Majesty's Forces in Egypt; whether he was removed from these offices without inquiry by the Australian Government on a recommendation of the Army Council, which the General Officer Commanding in Egypt subsequently pointed out was due to a misunderstanding; whether a Court of Inquiry has been held and what was the finding of that Court; and whether, if that Report is favourable, the Army Council is prepared to reinstate Lieutenant-Colonel Barrett, or whether he is prepared to make any statement with regard to the value of the work done by Lieutenant-Colonel Barrett?
§ Mr. TENNANTI believe the facts as stated in the first two parts of the question are substantially correct. A Court of Inquiry was held in Egypt in October last year, and in its finding the Court exonerated Lieutenant-Colonel Barrett 1772 and spoke in the highest terms of his work. The High Commissioner of the Commonwealth was informed that there was no Objection to Lieutenant-Colonel Barrett being employed in Egypt or elsewhere, provided the Government of the Commonwealth concurred.