HC Deb 15 March 1917 vol 91 cc1298-9W
Mr. GLANVILLE

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will consider the possibility of giving such a thorough medical examination to recruits as will prevent men passed for active service and similar categories taking up the time and attention of the military authorities for months until their shortcomings cause thorn to be relegated to C3 category, to which they should have been originally passed?

Mr. MACPHERSON

The whole question receives the constant and careful consideration of the War Office. The number of men, however, where the original classification has been revised is an infinitesimal proportion of the total, and considerably more men are raised in the category every month than lowered. My hon. Friend appears to make a reflection upon the capacity of those members of the medical profession who are doing their work under great pressure, and I cannot let it pass without a strong protest. Considering the vast total of medical classifications carried out every day, the total number of mistakes made is surprisingly small.