HC Deb 28 March 1898 vol 55 c1065
MR. W. LUCAS-SHADWELL (Hastings)

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether boys are refused admission to the Navy in consequence of having one or two defective teeth, though in every other way they may be fit for that Service?

THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. W. G. E. MACARTNEY, Antrim, S.

): One or two defective teeth do not of themselves constitute a bar to admission to the Navy. The condition of the teeth generally is always taken into consideration, and no boy is rejected except where a definite condition of defectiveness exists.