§ 20. Mr. Doddsasked the Secretary of State for War what decision has been reached in the application for the discharge of 23156774 Private Roy Robert Houghton, who, as a result of an accident in which he sustained three fractures of the right ankle, requires the fixture of a screw to hold the ankle bone together causing a permanent disability with pain and swelling from undue pressure on his right foot; and what training and work he has been given since call-up.
§ Mr. HeadThis soldier was passed fit. He underwent two weeks' preliminary training and ten weeks' training as a clerk, but, as he did not appear capable of performing even light duties, he is being discharged on medical grounds.
§ Mr. DoddsWill the Secretary of State inform his right hon. and learned Friend the Minister of Labour that here is one more blunder, for which the taxpayer has to pay and the individual has to suffer, concerning a man who should never have been in the Forces?
§ Mr. HeadOn behalf of my right hon. and learned Friend, who is not present, I should like to say that when this man went for his medical examination, he was very keen to serve as a soldier. He might have emphasised that there was nothing much wrong with him. A careful examination was made. He was reexamined in the Army, and it was only after that was done that it was discovered that he could not do the job.
§ 23. Mr. Langford-Holtasked the Secretary of State for War if he will order the immediate discharge on medical grounds of 23146900 Private E. Pryce, Royal Army Ordnance Corps, in view of the fact that the soldier has a deformity to his foot which makes the wearing of Army boots impossible and renders the soldier's full training impossible.
§ Mr. HeadNo, Sir. I have gone very carefully into this case and am satisfied that Private Pryce is fit for service in a base unit.
§ Mr. Langford-HoltIs my right hon. Friend aware that the information which I have is that this man is not being properly employed? In the absence of my right hon. Friend's ability to convince me otherwise, will he take my assurance that we shall have correspondence on the subject? I hope it will induce him to change his mind.