§ Sir E. Graham-Littleasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that dissatisfaction exists regarding the methods at present in force by which the Army authorities overrule the grading of recruits by the civilian medical boards; whether he will lay upon the Table the Army Council Instruction 24/General/ 698 which governs the classification of soldiers; whether he is aware that while two medical officers at least are required to reduce a recruit's category, one medical officer, unaided by any specialist or colleague, can raise that category; and if he will remedy this state of affairs?
§ Captain MargessonThe instructions for the medical classification of soldiers to which my hon. Friend refers are at present in process of amendment, but I will have a copy of the revised instructions placed in the Library for the convenience of hon. Members as soon as they are available. The effect of the amendments will be that the medical category of a recruit will not be altered during his first month's service unless the circumstances are exceptional. As regards re-classification after that period, my hon. Friend will appreciate that, apart from possible changes in a man's physical fitness during the time that may elapse between examination by a civil medical board and calling-up, disability may only come to light during training; on the other hand, the conditions of Army life may improve the physical fitness of a recruit to such an extent as to justify transfer to a higher medical category. Specialist advice is obtained by the Army medical officer where necessary.