§ 26. Mr. Burkeasked the Secretary of State for Air if, in view of the fact that Peter Kane, former world fly-weight champion, is to be discharged from the R.A.F. owing to trouble with the sight of his right eye which caught the lapel of a coat, he proposes to discharge men in the R.A.F. who have only one eye and are in Grade II or lower.
§ Sir A. SinclairAirmen with one eye are discharged from the Royal Air Force only if their medical category is Grade IV, that is, unfit for further service. The medical category of the airman in question is still under consideration, and a final decision as to whether he is to be discharged has not yet been reached.
§ Mr. BurkeIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that men with very indifferent sight, or with only one eye, and in very low categories, are retained on the ground that they release physically fit men for other service; and can he explain the difference of treatment?
§ Sir A. SinclairThere is no difference in treatment. The Board found that this man ought to be discharged. This opinion was queried by higher authorities and a further examination is being made.