§ 18. Mr. JOWETTasked the Minister of National Service the proportions of the men over forty-one called up under the Military Service Acts who have been placed in each of the different grades as the result of medical examination?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of NATIONAL SERVICE (Mr. Beck)Definite figures cannot yet be given concerning the results of medical examinations of the older men. The general impression on comparing such results as are available with the results of the examinations of younger men is that there is likely to be no marked divergence in the two sets of figures. The hon. Member will of course bear in mind that these men are graded relatively to the standards applicable to men of their age, so that where one of these men is classified as being in Grade 1, it implies that he has the full normal physical fitness to be expected of men of that age. The same relative principle applies to the other grades, in the case of these older men. Consequently the military training and subsequent disposition of the older men by the military authorities are governed by similar consideration. It is their intention that the greater proportion of the older men shall be used for garrison and auxiliary duties at home, and for similar duties overseas. There is no intention 1846 of drafting these men for duty in field formations overseas in the same manner and after the same comparatively short period of training as is customary in the case of younger men. Those of the older men who are found to be fit for field service of a less arduous character will receive a modified course of instruction and training under special supervision.
§ Mr. SNOWDENAre we to understand that the older men who are Grade l will not be put into the same army units and employed in the same kind of work as the younger men who are Grade 1?
§ Mr. BECKAs regards the army units, my hon. Friend had better ask my right hon. Friend the Under-Secretary, but certainly the distinct policy is that the older men should not be used on the same work as the younger men.
§ Mr. PRINGLEDoes it mean that a Grade 1 man of forty-one is a different thing from a Grade 1 man of thirty-one?
§ Mr. PRINGLEA Grade 1 man of forty-five is a different thing from a Grade 1 man of thirty-one?
§ Sir H. NIELDOnce these men are examined and handed over to the military authorities has the hon. Gentleman's department any control over them?
§ Mr. BECKWe have no control over them, but, as ray right hon. Friend informed my hon. and learned Friend, the War Office is arranging to use these men differently from the younger men.
§ Mr. PRINGLEDoes my hon. Friend say that a Grade 1 man is only passed for garrison duty at home, and, if so, why should he be passed Grade 1?
§ Mr. BECKIf the hon. and learned Gentleman will read my answer he will see that I have said something quite different.
Mr. CHANCELLORHas the hon. Gentleman read the statements by the Shoreditch Tribunal, and by the chairman of the tribunal upstairs, about the grading of these men?
§ Mr. BECKI have read what has been said at the tribunals, but we have had a great deal of evidence that the men are most carefully examined.
§ Mr. SNOWDENIf this question be repeated later, will the hon. Gentleman be able to give the proportion of men over forty-three who are placed in the different categories?
§ Mr. BECKThey will be approximately the same as the other men, but I think that I ought to have notice of that.
§ Mr. PRINGLEIf a Grade 1 man of forty-five is really only Grade 2, why should he be passed as Grade 1?
§ Mr. BECKI think that I had better have notice of that. This policy has been most fully explained to the House.
§ Mr. PRINGLENo; it has not.
§ Mr. BECKIt has; and it is not easy to avoid confusion by question and answer. It is perfectly true that there are different standards for older men and younger men. That is obvious, because there was a definite pledge given in the House that the older men would not be used for the same military duties as the younger men.