HC Deb 19 February 1969 vol 778 cc109-10W
Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will state the number of applicants for enlistment in Her Majesty's forces who have been rejected on grounds of physical fitness alone during each of the last 10 years; and whether, in such cases, he will seek powers to refer them to hospital or to physical fitness training courses, with a view to their being accepted for Her Majesty's service after such courses.

Mr. Reynolds

As the answer to the first part of the Question contains a number of figures I will publish these in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

The applicants are civilians who may, if they wish, seek treatment from their own doctors in an effort to raise their medical standard of fitness to an acceptable level. It would be contrary to medical ethics for the Services to do more than provide the applicants' doctors with medical details if required.

THE FOLLOWING TABLE GIVES THE NUMBER OF MALE APPLICANTS TOR SERVICE AS RATINGS, SOLDIERS AND AIRMEN WHO WERE REJECTED ON MEDICAL GROUNDS. IT DOES NOT FOLLOW THAT THEY WERE OTHERWISE SUITABLE.
Year Navy Army Air Force
1958–59 2,918 Not available Not available
1959–60 2,941
1960–61 2,197
1961–62 2,109 1,455
1962–63 2,435 1,667
1963–64 2,703 614
1964–65 2,649 4,558 1,391
1965–66 2,588 3,804 1,467
1966–67 2,701 4,177 1,750
1967–68 2,457 3,422 1,828