§ Lord CHARLES BERESFORDasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will inform the House whether the standard for men recruited for the Fleet has been reduced, and, if so, to what extent; and whether he will state the present standard for seamen, stokers, and Marines?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLBoys and Youths: In February, 1912, the height and chest standards were reduced by ½ in. In May, 1912, the age limit was reduced from 15¾ to 15¼, with height and chest standards shown below.
Special Service Seamen: Chest standard was reduced by ½ in. and height for all ages reduced to 5 ft. 3 in. Previously it varied from 5 ft. 3 in. to 5 ft. 5½ in. (February, 1912.)
Stokers, 2nd Class: Under 21, height and chest standards were reduced by 1 in. (February, 1912.)
Royal Marines: Height standard reduced by 1 in. in August, 1912.
1888WArtificers and Artisans over 20: Height standard reduced by 1 in. early this financial year.
The above alterations were necessitated by the large increase in Fleet numbers. Since the dates named there have been no changes.
The present standards are as follows:—
Boys, 2nd Class. Age. Height. Chest. 15¼ and under 15½ … 5 ft. 0¼ in. … 30½ in. 15½ and under 15¾ … 5 ft. 0½ in. … 31 in. 15¾ and under 16 … 5 ft. 1 in. … 31½ in. 16 and under 16½ … 5 ft. 1½ in. … 32 in. 16½ and under 16¾ … 5 ft. 2 in. … 32½ in. Youths. 16¾ and under 17 … 5 ft. 2½ in. … 33 in. 17 and under 17½ … 5 ft. 3 in. … 33½ in. 17½ and under 18 … 5 ft. 3½ in. … 34 in.
Ordinary Seamen (Special Service). 18 and under 19 5 ft. 3 in. 34 in. (If 5 ft. 5 in. or over, 34½ in.) 19 and under 20 5 ft. 3 in. 34½ in. (If 5 ft. 5 in. or over, 35 in.) 20 and under 21 5 ft. 3 in. 35 in. (If 5 ft. 7 in. or over, 35½ in.) Over 21 5 ft. 3 in. 35½ in. (If 5 ft. 7 in. or over, 36 in.)
Strokers, 2nd Class. 18 and under19 5 ft. 3 in. 34½ in. (If 5 ft. 5 in. or over, 35 in.) 19 and under 20 5 ft. 3 in. 35½ in. (If 5 ft. 7 in. or over, 36 in.) Over 21 5 ft. 3 in. 36 in. (If 5 ft. 7 in. or over, 36½ in.
Marines.—R.M.A. 17 and under 18 … 5 ft. 6½ in. … 34 in. 18 and under 19 … 5 ft. 7 in. … 34½ in. 19 and under 20 … 5 ft. 7½ in. … 35 in. Over 20 … 5 ft. 8 in. … 35½ in. Marines.—R.M.L.I. 17 and under 18 … 5 ft. 4½ in. … 33 in. 18 and under 19 … 5 ft. 4½ in. … 33½ in. 19 and under 20 … 5 ft. 5 in. … 34 in. Over 20 … 5 ft. 5½ in. … 34½ in.