§ 32. Mr. SNOWDENasked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will have inquiry made into the complaints about the conduct of the second lieutenant E. L. Smith, commanding the 3rd Southern Non-Combatant Corps at Durrington Camp, Larkhill, who, since he took charge of this company, has persistently carried out a policy of irritation, his latest act being to 1996 order the searching of kit bags of the men and their personal belongings and their private correspondence; and among other orders he issues, which are not imposed in any other company, are the maintenance of the summer practice of washing and wet-scrubbing huts, the consequence of which is that their huts often remain in a damp state for two or three days; and also his practice of making all available men parade at 6.10 a.m. for route march on empty stomachs, this being the only company on Salisbury Plain where this practice is followed?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONA full report has been called for, and on its receipt I will communicate with my hon. Friend.