HC Deb 19 September 1950 vol 478 cc1703-4
22. Mr. Low

asked the Secretary of State for War how many Reservists have been called to the Colours since 1st July, 1950; and of these how many were released or discharged on medical grounds.

Mr. Strachey

Since 1st July, 222 officers of the Regular Army Reserve of Officers and 6,990 other ranks of the Royal Army Reserve have been called up. Of these, 18 officers and 1,409 other ranks were found to be medically unfit for service in the Far East.

Mr. Low

Is the right hon. Gentleman telling the House that no Reservists other than members of the Royal Army Reserve have been called up? Have no Class "Z" Reservists been called up at all?

Mr. Strachey

No Class "Z" Reservists.

Mr. Low

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied with the figures with regard to health that he has given the House? Ought he not to make some more regular estimate of how the officers and men on the Reserves are maintaining their original health category?

Mr. Strachey

This is, in the first place, a different Reserve; and also, of course, these figures of medical unfitness refer to service in the Far East, and would not necessarily refer to service in general.

Colonel Stoddart-Scott

Is the right hon. Gentleman not concerned that between a quarter and a fifth of the men should be medically unfit?

Mr. Strachey

For service in the Far East.

Brigadier Head

Is it not quite clear that in the Services men are either passed fit for all theatres or not passed fit at all? Is not the right hon. Gentleman wrong?

Mr. Strachey

These men were called up with service in the Far East in mind, for the Force being prepared for Korea, so naturally their medical examination held that in view.

Mr. John MacLeod

Does the right hon. Gentleman know the ages of these men?

Major Legge-Bourke

Could not the right hon. Gentleman make some use of the system of medical examination on registration for National Service to check periodically the health of these men?

Mr. Strachey

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman back on "Z" Reservists or the Army Reserve?

Major Legge-Bourke

All Reservists.