86. Mr. PONSONBYasked the Undersecretary of State for War whether he is aware that all B2 men in the Black Watch at a certain station have been drafted into another battalion at another place, paraded before a doctor, and, with the exception of five, passed as fit and equipped for service abroad; whether he is aware that these men had been before several boards, the last only a fortnight previous to their transfer, and declared unfit by their own doctor; whether unfit men from other regiments, such as the Seaforths, the Gordons, etc., are being sent to the same place for the same purpose; and whether he will have an inquiry made into these proceedings?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONThe process of medical examination, transfer, and selection for drafting described in my hon. Friend's question is one which is carried out almost daily in every battalion in this country, and the regiments mentioned in the question have been so treated. Those men who are selected for service abroad are subjected to a final medical examination before being drafted overseas, and, as I stated in answer to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for North Somerset, on the 12th June, every reasonable precaution is taken to ensure that men will be utilised on duties for which they are fitted.