LORD DENMANMy Lords, I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War what is the present standard as regards height and chest measurement for recruits for infantry of the line; what was the standard in January 1899; whether the Under Secretary can give further information regarding the new system of chest measurement mentioned in paragraph 35, page 8, of the Report of the Inspector-General of Recruiting: and whether he can give the average height and chest measurement of recruits for infantry of the line during the past year, also for the year 1898–99. I do not think the first two questions require any further comment from me. The only one which may, perhaps, require a little explanation is that which alludes to the Report of the Inspector-General of Recruiting. In the paragraph I have quoted, the Inspector-General states that an absolute minimum was laid down as regards chest measurement below which it was considered unsafe to enlist recruits. I should like to ask the noble Earl if he can tell me exactly what that minimum was. There is another statement in the Report to the effect that the system of chest measurement was based entirely on range of expansion. I would again ask the noble Earl to explain a little more in detail the system alluded to. Before the South African War the system of chest measurement, I think, was this—two measurements, the minimum and the maximum, were put down on the attestation paper of every recruit. I believe that system has now been 282 altered. I do not know whether only one measurement is now put down, but, at any rate, there are rumours that rather an elastic scheme has been allowed to creep into the present system. The question of chest measurement is, in my opinion, one of considerable importance and not unworthy of the attention of your Lordships, because it is chest measurement, as all medical men will agree, which gives a soldier the requisite power to endure the strain of modern warfare, which is as great if not greater than in former times. I think it would allay considerable uneasiness in those circles where a keen interest is taken in military affairs if the noble Earl could give a satisfactory answer to the questions I have ventured to ask.
THE UNDER SECRETARY of STATE FOR WAR (The Earl of HARDWTCKE)I will endeavour to give the information which the noble Lord desires. He asks, in the first place, what is the present standard as regards height and chest measurement for recruits for infantry of the line. The present standard of height is 5 feet 3 inches. It was the same in January, 1899. The noble Lord next inquires whether I can give him further information regarding the new system of chest measurement. I will pass over that question for a moment and come to the last one, namely, whether I can give the average height and chest measurement of recruits for infantry of the line during the past year and also for the year 1898–99. I would refer the noble Lord to the Annual Report of the British Army for the latter year, which will give him part of the information he desires. I cannot give him the figures for the past year, for the reason that, as he himself has pointed out, a new system of chest measurement has been introduced. Under the old System no recruit was accepted, except as a "special," whose minimum chest measurement was less than 33 inches. But on 1st April last a new system was introduced, and this system was introduced in accordance with the Report of a Committee of experts, comprising military medical officers and civilian doctors. They examined the question very carefully, and, since April last, instead of taking the chest measurement—the girth of the chest when fully expanded is taken, and then, when the 283 recruit has ceased to "blow himself out"—I cannot for the moment think of a better term to express my meaning—the measurement is again taken, and if there is a difference of not less than 2 in. between the two measurements then the recruit is accepted, whereas if the difference is less than 2 in. he is not accepted. Since the introduction of the new system no man has been accepted for the Army who did not comply with those conditions. In future it is intended to issue a Return showing the average height, chest measurement, and weight of every recruit on enlistment. Then after he has completed six months service, and gone through gymnastic training, he will again be measured, and if he has not, according to the requirements laid down by the Committee to which I have referred, increased his physical development to the extent considered necessary, he will not be allowed to remain in the Army. When this Return is published, the noble Lord will see the exact extent to which every recruit developed after six months training in the service. I think I have given the noble Lord the information for which he has asked.
LORD DENMANI am much obliged to the noble Earl for the statement he has just made, but I should like to I know what the absolute minimum chest measurement laid down was.
§ THE EARL OF HARDWICKEThere is no minimum which can be said to apply to every recruit. It all depends upon his height and general physique. But I would refer the noble Lord to the Recruiting Regulations for 1902. If he will look on page 5, under "Test A," he will get the information he requires.
§ LORD RIBBLESDALEAs I understand the noble Earl refers to a Return for the year 1898—which gives average height and chest measurement of recruits for that period, I would suggest that, as he has the Blue-book in his hand, he should tell us what the average height and chest measurement was in that year, so that we can know whether the new measurement is to be greater or less than before.
§ THE EARL OF HARDWICKEThe book consists of about 140 pages, and various statistics bearing on the subject are given. It would be very difficult for me to pick out the figures at this moment and give the noble Lord a definite answer to the Question he puts. He is quite welcome to the Book and can look for himself.
§ LORD RIBBLESDALEDo I understand that the War Office have not boiled down these 140 pages of statistics sufficiently to enable them to arrive at the average height and chest measurement? I suppose the Question has been on the Paper for some time.
§ THE EARL OF HARDWICKEIf I had known that the noble Lord wanted this worked out I would have taken the pains necessary to have had it done, but I think the House will perfectly understand that it is a matter of very small importance what the height or chest measurement of a man is after he has been in the service a certain number of years. What you want to know is what is the development of soldiers in the first six months of training, and that is what the War Office in the future are going to give very fully.
LORD DENMANDo I understand that the only test as regards chest measurement is whether or not the recruit can expand or contract his chest two inches? Is there no definite limit?
§ THE EARL OF HARDWICKENo. The minimum, as I have explained, is laid down according to the height and physical development of each man. You cannot lay down one minimum for all recruits. The test is whether a recruit can contract two inches after inflation. That is the principal test, and it is considered by the highest authorities whom we have been able to consult on the matter as absolutely necessary for the well being and the physical development of our Army.
§ LORD RIBBLESDALEWhat is the irreducible minimum? Is the irreducible minimum the "blown out" recruit or the "unblown out" recruit? Surely the chest measurement of a man is not taken when he is "blown out" but when he is in his normal condition.
§ THE EARL OF HARDWICKEThe irreducible minimum is the "blown out" recruit.
§ LORD RIBBLESDALEI think it will have to be stated in an algebraic equation.