HC Deb 23 September 1909 vol 11 cc618-9
Mr. JOHN WARD

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the, fact that many recruits for the regular Army, otherwise qualified, are rejected because of defective teeth, means will be devised to rectify this failing, and so make considerable reduction in the proportion of rejections?

The SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Mr. Haldane)

Whenever, in the opinion of a recruiting medical officer, dental treatment will render a recruit efficient, the necessary treatment is now given, provided the cost of such treatment does not exceed £1.

Mr. J. WARD

Is that really the estimate of the value of a recruit—a sovereign?

Mr. HALDANE

No, it is not; but we do not supply false teeth for 50,000 troops.

Mr. ARTHUR LYNCH

May I ask if provision will be made for the proper care of soldiers' teeth as part of their regular daily routine?

Mr. HALDANE

That is not a question which arises out of the one which I answered.

Mr. LUPTON

May I ask if it is the opinion of a great many dentists that the teeth of young men are bad because of the bad treatment of infants by vaccination?

Mr. REMNANT

May I ask whether it is not a fact that 10 out of 12 men at Aldershot, highly trained men, who had been in the Army some time and returned as having bad or unserviceable teeth, would require £3 to improve them, and whether he does not think that that small expenditure was justified in that case, and whether he will take steps to have it done?

Mr. HALDANE

I know nothing about that. Will the hon. Member put down a question? What I do say is that for the last two years there has been a very considerable improvement in the teeth. The teeth are now taken care of to the extent of a pound.

Mr. REMNANT

May I remind the right hon. Gentleman that only yesterday he answered a question as to this case?

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Member should not put the question again to-day.

Mr. W. THORNE

In view of the physical degeneracy which is going on in all parts of the country, will the right hon. Gentleman represent to the Government the absolute necessity of feeding the children in the schools?

Mr. HALDANE

I should require some better authority than such a general statement.

Mr. ARTHUR LYNCH

Can the right hon. Gentleman supply corresponding statistics referring to the French army?

Mr. HALDANE

I do not know whether they exist. If the hon. Gentleman puts down a question I will inquire.

Mr. LUPTON

Does not the percentage of rejections vary inversely to the state of trade? When trade is bad and lots of men are out of work, do you not get a better class of recruits?