HC Deb 02 May 1939 vol 346 cc1668-9
13. Mr. Edwards

asked the Secretary of State for War the percentage of volunteers for the Army who have been rejected in each quarterly period during the last four years and the main causes for rejection?

Mr. Hore-Belisha

As the answer contains a number of figures, I will, if I may, circulate it in the OFFICIAL. REPORT.

Mr. Dalton

May we have the approximate figure of the proportion of rejects?

Mr. Hore-Belisha

I have been asked for figures covering four years. There are a number of figures, and I do not know which one the hon. Gentleman wants.

Mr. Edwards

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us the answer to the last part of the question, which asks for the main causes of rejection?

Mr. Hore-Belisha

They are: Diseases of the middle ear (including deafness), loss and/or decay of teeth, defects of the lower extremities—which I understand to be the military equivalent of feet— defective vision, diseases of the heart, insufficient weight and flat feet.

Mr. Edwards

May we have the rough proportion of those who were unfit, and has not the House been told before that the greater number of rejections is due to under-nourishment or malnutrition?

Mr. Hore-Belisha

I do not know what the House has been told before. I have given the hon. Gentleman the complete table, and also all the particulars for which he has asked so that he can draw a deduction.

Percentage of rejections of applicants to enlist in the Regular Army.
Quarterly Period. Percentage of rejections.
1935. 1936. 1937. 1938.
1st January, to 31st March … … … 61.4 60.9 47.7 37.1
1st April to 30th June … … … 62.1 62.3 44.4 35.2
1st July to 30th September … … … 62.0 61.8 49.4 37.3
1st October to 31st December … … … 63.4 55.2 42.4 37.4
The main causes of rejection on medical grounds were as follow:
Diseases of the middle ear (including deafness),
Loss and/or decay of teeth,
Defects of the lower extremities,
Defective vision,
Diseases of the heart,
Insufficient weight, and
Flat feet.