§ 10. Mr. Prittasked the Secretary of State for War what reasons the commanding officer of No. 11 Convalescent Camp, C.M.F., had for stopping the lecture on 1213 the International Brigade fixed and advertised for 13th September last; and if he has now completed his inquiries as to why the soldier invited to give the lecture, who had done much to build up at that camp a fine occupational therapy department, was unexpectedly posted, shortly after the date of the previous question on the subject of the lecture, to a remote camp, where he was put in charge of whitewashing and other general maintenance work.
§ Sir J. GriggThe Commanding Officer of this unit first heard of this lecture from an announcement on the morning of the day on which it was to be given. No one at his headquarters had authorised it. In these circumstances he was, to my mind, entirely justified in stopping the lecture, whatever it was about. My information confirms that the soldier in question had done good work in his unit in occupational therapy. It was for this reason and for no other that he was posted to a base psychiatric centre attached to a general hospital near Naples. His duties have included the supervising of patients in work suitable to their rehabilitation training. In this work whitewashing, like many other useful occupations, finds a place.
§ Mr. PrittSince this very valuable man is dealing with whitewashing, would the right hon. Gentleman tell me how many people, like himself, in their desire to stop lectures, need whitewashing?