28 Mr. EDMUND HARVEYasked the Minister of National Service whether the National Service Instruction No. 3, of 1917 (Cd. 8834), regulating medical board examinations is still in force, or whether it has been modified or superseded by subsequent instructions reducing the minimum standards; and, if so, whether any such instructions will be published?
§ Mr. BECKNational Service Instruction No. 3 of 1917 was revised and republished as M.N.S.R. 24 on 26th February, 1918, and can be obtained through His Majesty's Stationery Office by the public. The revised edition was undertaken with the object of making the Instructions regarding medical arrangements and grading more comprehensive and has in no way modified the general standards of fitness for military service. A National Service Instruction dealing with standards of vision was issued on the 6th April. This Instruction was drawn up after consultation by a Committee of Military and Civil Ophthalmic Specialists. The standards decided upon are slightly lower than before.