HC Deb 04 December 1963 vol 685 cc187-8W
92. Mr. John Hall

asked the Minister of Defence what percentage of recruits for the Services are rejected on grounds of physical unfitness and illiteracy, respectively.

Mr. Thorneycroft

Figures for January-October, 1963:

Navy … 13.7 per cent.
Army … 11 per cent.
Air Force … 8.8 per cent

No illiterate man would be considered as an applicant and no figures are therefore available.