§ 31. Mr. WATTasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his Department is issuing instructions to the medical examiners under the Military Service Act, 1916, to retain the same standard in passing men into the Army, in view of the fact that these agents of the War Office are now passing men who formerly would have been considered quite unfit for soldiers?
§ Mr. TENNANTExactly the same standard is observed in respect of all classes of men coming before Army medical authorities for examination, whether they report themselves for service 1339 under the Military Service Act or come forward voluntarily. Recruits are now, however, and have been for some time past, graded in different categories according to their suitability for various forms of military service.
§ Mr. WATTAre we to understand that the medical standard to-day is quite the same as it was, say, three months ago?
§ Mr. TENNANTYes, the standard is the same, except that there is a gradation, as I have stated in my answer. Indeed, the standard is more carefully looked after to-day than it was before.
§ Mr. TENNANTI am not aware of that.
§ Mr. OUTHWAITEWill the right hon. Gentleman say for what military service the man with a cork leg, who was passed the other day, would be fit?