§ 32. Mr. Albert Evansasked the Secretary of State for War the number of National Service men taken into the Army during the last year or convenient period; the number who have been discharged on medical grounds; and the number who have died before their training was completed, giving separate figures for discharges and deaths due to accidents.
§ Mr. ShinwellThe number of National Service men taken into the Army between 1st November, 1948, and 31st October, 1949, was 114,856. Statistics are not available to show how many of these have been discharged on medical grounds or have died before their training was completed, but in the same period a total of 5,506 National Service men were discharged on medical grounds and 229 died. Separate figures are not available for discharges and deaths due to accidents.
§ Mr. EvansWill my right hon. Friend assure the House that he will take all possible steps to reduce the number of unfit men taken?
§ Mr. ShinwellWe are giving great care to this matter and are in close consultation with the Ministry of Labour.