Mr. ALFRED T. DAVIESasked the Home Secretary whether he has been asked by a member of the Grimsby Officers' Appointment Committee to give some preference to a captain of the Lincolnshire Regiment, who lost his right arm in action, with a view to qualifying as a factory inspector; whether he has ruled that the loss of the use of a hand must be regarded as a disqualification for such a post; and whether he will reconsider this decision if the necessary academic standards are reached by such candidates?
§ Mr. SHORTTThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I regret that I am unable to alter the decision. I am advised that the loss of the use of a hand would be so serious a handicap in the inspector's work and might in the course of inspection expose him to such serious risk that I have very reluctantly come to the conclusion that it must be held to disqualify.