§ 7. Mr. Rhys Daviesasked the Secretary of State for War whether he has considered the number of members of the Army who have been discharged on medical grounds, in comparison with the number passed fit for service by the medical boards; and whether he is satisfied that those boards are functioning properly?
§ Sir E. GriggIn the majority of cases where men have been discharged from the Army on medical grounds within a short time of enlistment it has been found that the effect of a disability noted and recorded by the medical board has been more severe under Service conditions than was expected. There are other men who, with the same or an even greater disability, stand up perfectly well to Service conditions and may subsequently be raised to a higher grade. I am not aware of any evidence to show that these boards are not, in general, functioning properly.
§ Mr. DaviesHas the Minister compared the figures of discharges from the Army on medical grounds in this war with those of the last war, and is it not possible that the number is greater on this occasion?
§ Sir E. GriggSo far as I know, that comparison has not been made.