§ 31. Major GLYNasked the Secretary of State for War if he will furnish a return showing the general average physical condition of recruits at all the Army depots, Royal Engineers, Royal Artillery, cavalry, foot guards, infantry of the line, tank corps, and departmental services on joining the service, with any notes the Director-General of Army Medical Services may care to make as to the usual disabilities and defects that are most noticeable, and indicating the physical development of these men after three and six months' training at the depots and with their units?
§ Mr. SHAWThe standard of physical fitness required of recruits for enlistment in the Army is laid down in the Instructions for the Physical Examination of Recruits, and I will send the hon. and gallant Member extracts from these Instructions. For the recruiting year 1928–1929, which is the latest period for which information is yet available, the main disabilities leading to the discharge of recruits were:
1079 An investigation which is at present being carried out in the London area appears to show that the general physical standard of the recruits actually accepted in that area is if anything higher than that of recruits accepted before the War. I am further informed by the Army medical authorities that the physical development of recruits during their first six months of training is most satisfactory and that weight is put on at the depots to the average of 8¼lbs. Figures are not available as to the weight increase after three months' training, but both the general physical development and increase in weight are steadily and evenly progressive.
- Disease of the Middle Ear.
- Defects of Lower Extremities.
- Disease of Heart.
- Defective Vision.
§ Major GLYNDoes that not indicate that the training given to youths in the Cadet Corps is useful?