§ Mr. Rhys Daviesasked the Minister of Labour whether the standard of physical fitness of men entering His Majesty's forces during the present conflict is as good or better than between 1914–18; and whether any improved standard is due to the extension of the social services?
§ Mr. E. BevinFigures for the whole period 1914–18 are not available; but a comparison of the results of the medical examination of men under the Military Training and National Service (Armed Farces) Acts with those of the examination of 2,500,000 men for entry into the Armed Forces during 1917–18 suggests that there has been a very definite advance it the standard of physical fitness in the intervening period. I have no doubt that the extension of the social services has been an important factor in this improvement.