HC Deb 08 March 1927 vol 203 cc1017-8
11. Mr. SHORT

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of men passed fit for service and the number rejected as medically unfit during 1926; and the nature of the principal physical defects responsible for their rejection?

Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANS

As regards the first part of the question, figures for the recruiting year 1925–26 will be found on page 12 of the General Annual Report on the British Army for 1926. As regards the latter part, I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement showing the numbers rejected for the principal physical defects.

Following is the statement:

MAIN CAUSES OF REJECTION FOR PHYSICAL UNFITNESS.
Number of Rejections.
(1) Diseases of the heart 2,194
(2) Diseases of the middle ear 1,887
(3) Loss or decay of many teeth 1,776
(4) Defects of the lower extremity 1,523
(5) Defective vision 1,317
(6) Flat feet 1,005
(7) Insufficient weight 949
(8) Under-chest measurement 657
(9) Varicocele 652
(10) Diseases of veins 554