§ 48. Mr. EMMOTTasked the Prime Minister what percentage of the applicants to the recruiting offices last year were refused on the grounds that they were not physically fit; and what steps the Government propose to take to raise the present level of the physique of the nation?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe percentage for England, Scotland and Wales is approximately 35. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to Circular 1445 issued by the Board of Education in January last, from 636 which he will see that in addition to giving close attention to the various health services such as the School Medical Service and the Maternal and Child Welfare Service, it is the Government's policy to promote the development of physical education for children of school age and for persons no longer attending school.
Viscountess ASTORWill the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the fact that children who attend open-air nursery schools are five pounds heavier and half an inch taller than those who do not? Will he also bear in mind that 95,000 of the pupils entering elementary schools are physically defective and that the only way to put them right is a proper system of open-air nursery schools?
§ Mr. SANDYSDoes the Prime Minister recognise that these figures show a very distressing position?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI think there can be no dispute about it.
§ Mr. T. J0HNSTONIn addition to the 35 per cent. who are rejected as physically unfit, is the Prime Minister aware that a further 30 per cent. are rejected as medically unfit; and as there is general agreement in the House that something should be done to improve the nutrition of the people of this country, would the Prime Minister give facilities for an early discussion of the subject?
§ The PRIME MINISTERIf the matter were raised, that of course would be for discussion. It is a matter that we have in hand now.
§ Mr. EMMOTTDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think that, in the consideration of this question there is an opportunity for devising a policy which shall, at the same time, assist agriculture and meet the needs of the nation in regard to defence?
Miss WARDWould the Prime Minister consider having a conference of all the Government Departments interested in this question of health as there seems to be a lack of co-ordination among them at present?