67. Mr. W. JOSEPH STEWARTasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the low medical standard of boys and young men in the Special Areas; what is the percentage of rejections on medical grounds of men and boys for the juvenile transfer centres and men's instructional centres; and what steps he is taking, if any, to make those people fit for training by providing the necessary medical treatment?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of LABOUR (Lieut.-Colonel Muirhead)I am aware of the desirability of improving the standard of physical fitness of boys and young men in the Special Areas. During the six months ending March, 1936, 17 per cent. of the men from all recruiting areas examined for admission to residential instructional centres were rejected on medical grounds. To meet this problem it is proposed to provide remedial treatment at a number of local centres shortly to be established in the Special Areas, and also at certain of the residential instructional centres. In South Wales, all boys willing to transfer from certain selected districts have been medically examined within the past few weeks, and about 16 per cent. were rejected for admission to the junior transfer centre on medical grounds. In the North Eastern Division, medical examination for admission to the junior transfer centre has been confined to boys who appear to be in need of reconditioning, and about 28 per cent. have been rejected on medical grounds. Steps have recently been taken to enable education authorities to extend still further the medical services available to juveniles attending junior instruction centres.
Mr. STEWARTIs not the low medical standard of men and boys in the Special 1834 Areas due, to an appreciable extent, to malnutrition?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MUIRHEADThat is a much wider question.
Viscountess ASTORWill my hon. and gallant Friend bear in mind the fact that everyone who has looked into this question of the physical condition of young people has said that with a proper system of open-air nursery schools this later medical examination of the children would not be necessary, as they would have a much better start?