§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Private A. Bristow, No. 36222, E Company, 12th transport work battalion, Bedford Regiment, stationed at Croydon, who is quite deaf and was rejected as medically unfit, on re-examination was passed for general service; whether, in consequence of his deafness, he is unable to hear any command, and consequently has since been engaged in sweeping down the stairs and landings of headquarters; whether he is physically strong and was formerly a lumberman in Canada and a skilled gardener in London before enlistment; whether, before and after being called up, he applied to be sent to the lumber camp and was told that he would have to go as loader, but, though skilled in lumber and agricultural work and building, he is deprived of useful work and cannot undertake national service because he is a soldier; and whether it is intended to keep him in the Army?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONThere is nothing to show that this man was rejected as medically unfit, nor has he so stated himself. On re-examination he was classified B2, and not for general service. He has been employed as an orderly since he joined the battalion. As his deafness has become more pronounced since he joined he will be brought before a travelling medical board, and I cannot express any opinion as to his retention in the Army pending this board. He is described in his documents as a gardener; but I understand that he left Canada seventeen years ago, where he had experience of lumber work. I have no information that he is skilled as a builder.