§ 1. Sir John Mellorasked the Secretary of State for War why 7590880 Staff-Sergeant H. Davis was placed in medical category A 1, although he had lost one eye?
§ The Secretary of State for War (Sir James Grigg)Mr. Davis applied to enlist in the Royal Army Ordnance Corps in August, 1938. Owing to his visual defect, his application had to come to the War Office. It was there given special approval, and he was classed "fit for service in any part of the world." He had lost his left eye through an injury, not disease; the sight of his other eye was good, and he was otherwise fit. This classification was therefore correct. In November, 1940, a new system of medical categories was introduced, and Davis' original classification was translated as A 1, when it should have been B 3. I very much regret this error, the cause of which cannot now be traced. Even in category B 3, however, Staff-Sergeant Davis would have been fit for service as a tradesman with his corps in any part of the world.
§ Sir J. MellorDoes my right hon. Friend know whether or not this soldier was classified as a tradesman at the time when he was reported missing?
§ Sir J. GriggI cannot say without notice, but I will look into that point and will let the hon. Member know.