§ Lieut.-Colonel RUDKINasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air, if he is aware that candidates for the Air Force, after they have successfully passed the necessary examinations, are reviewed by the medical authorities and in some cases rejected; and, in view of the hardship created and the time and money wasted, will he take steps to ensure that the medical examination shall be held prior to the written or oral examination?
§ Mr. LEACHThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The possibility of holding the medical examination prior to the examination conducted by the Civil Service Commissioners was carefully considered recently and the conclusion arrived at was that the disadvantages outweighed the advantages. I may add that this opinion was shared by the headmasters who were consulted by the Departments. Parents and guardians are strongly recommended in the regulations to have their sons or wards examined by a medical practitioner or by a Royal Air Force preliminary medical board previous to their becoming candidates for commissions in the Royal Air Force, and full details of the medical standards are published in the regulations. If my hon. and gallant Friend's question refers to candidates for aircraft-apprenticeships as well as to cadets, I may add that the same reasons for holding the educational examination first are applicable to their case.