HC Deb 28 February 1933 vol 275 cc177-8
41. Mr. LUNN

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office how many men who offered themselves for the Army during 4931 and 1932 were rejected on medical or other grounds?

Mr. COOPER

The figures for the recruiting year 1930–31 were 82,682 men served with notice papers and 46,818 rejected. The corresponding figures for 1931–32 were 70,418 and 41,667. The hon. Member will find these and other figures relating to recruiting in the General Annual Report on the British Army which will be in the possession of Members in a few days.

Mr. T. WILLIAMS

Does the hon. Gentleman attribute this large volume of rejections to a raising of the standard of military requirements or to a continuous deterioration in the physique of the men of this country?

Mr. COOPER

I do not think any such conclusion can be drawn from these figures. The standard goes up and down in different districts, in proportion to the number of recruits that are being obtained.

Viscountess ASTOR

Will the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that these rejections for ill-health would be very much fewer if the Government would go in for the policy of open-air nursery schools?

59. Mr. LUNN

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many men who offered themselves for the Navy during 1931 and 1932 were rejected on medical and other grounds?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Lord Stanley)

As the Admiralty requires only about one-fourteenth of the total number who offer themselves for the Royal Navy and Royal Marines, only the very best men are taken. In the financial year 1930–31, 43,453 men offered themselves. Of these, 38,028 were rejected by recruiters for miscellaneous causes, including obvious physical defects, and 2,451 on examination by medical officers. The comparable figures for 1931-32 are 47,054, 41,063 and 2,781.

60. Mr. LUNN

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air how many men who offered themselves for the Air Force during 1931 and 1932 were rejected on medical or other grounds?

Sir VICTOR WARRENDER (Lord of the Treasury)

I have been asked to reply. The figures for men recruits for the calendar year 1931 were as follow: application forms completed 11,321: applications taken up 5,914, of which 3,768 were rejected. The corresponding figures for 1932 were 8,265, 2,042, and 1,255. It should be added that the requirements in 1932 were much below those of 1931.

Mr. LUNN

Does not die answer to this question show that we are heading towards a C.3 population?

Sir V. WARRENDER

No, Sir.