HC Deb 28 June 1939 vol 349 cc395-6
25. Mr. G. Macdonald

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether his Department has the same kind of arrangement as the War Office for dealing with applicants who fail to satisfy the medical tests; and, if not, will he consider making such arrangements?

Sir K. Wood

No, Sir, I am glad to say that no difficulty has so far been experienced in meeting the full requirements of the Royal Air Force from candidates of the appropriate medical standard. In these circumstances, no necessity has arisen for the creation of the special arrangements to which the hon. Member refers.

Mr. Macdonald

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Secretary for War yesterday informed the House that over 2,000 recruits were brought from an unfit state to a fit state by this arrangement?

Sir K. Wood

Yes, that may well be, but, so far as the Royal Air Force is concerned, what I have said shows that we have no difficulty in meeting our full requirements from candidates of the appropriate medical standard.

Sir Archibald Sinclair

Are those medical standards approximately the same as those for the Army?

Sir K. Wood

I cannot say, but, as the right hon. Gentleman knows, the standards for the Royal Air Force are high.