Colonel WHITEasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that there is a considerable number of young soldiers who are either unfitted for drafts or have to be discharged from the Service owing to their suffering from hammer toes or similar disability; and whether he will consider the advisability, in the less aggravated cases, of having these men fitted with surgical boots which might render them fit for service in any event with a non-combatant unit?
§ Mr. TENNANTIn the opinion of my medical advisers the issue of surgical boots to the men mentioned is not likely to render them fit for service, and even if such boots were issued it would be quite impossible to replace them if they were lost or worn out on service.