§ 9. Major HORE-BELISHAasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether officers and ratings over 40 years of age may be excused performing the physical exercises whilst undergoing anti-gas courses?
§ Mr. HODGESThe exercises in question are for the purpose of enabling officers and men to wear their respirators without inconvenience during periods of considerable physical activity such as would be experienced in a ship in action. It is not possible to exempt officers and men over 40 years of age from the exercises, which are introduced in order to ensure that they are capable of performing their duties efficiently in action.
§ Major HORE-BELISHADoes not the hon. Gentleman consider it a great hardship that these men should be compelled to play football for 20 minutes and to run 440 yards in a gas mask?