26. Mr. POINTERasked the Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that applicants for temporary positions, even of a month's duration, in His Majesty's dockyards have to undergo a medical examination, and that applicants are compelled to stand in a line destitute of clothing; and whether his practice can be discontinued in the case of those applying for short periods of employment, and in all cases be conducted with due regard to decency?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe dockyard regulations require that men entered in the dockyards are to be examined by the medical officer with respect to their physical fitness; in the case of entrants for short periods the examination is required to be only of a general and cursory character. I am not prepared to recommend the discontinuance of the examination. It is certainly our desire that the examination should be carried out in such a way as to avoid all unnecessary indignity. If my hon. Friend will give me the particulars upon which he founds the suggestion to the contrary, I will have inquiry made.