§ Mr. Hastingsasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what percentage of National Service men desirous of entering the Royal Air Force were rejected 183W on medical grounds in each of the last six years.
Mr. WardThe figures are as follow:
PERCENTAGE OF REGISTRANTS FOR NATIONAL SERVICE INTERVIEWED FOR SERVICE IN THE ROYAL AIR FORCE WHO WERE BELOW ROYAL AIR FORCE MEDICAL STANDARDS* (a) (b) (c) (d) Year Rejected on finding of Ministry od Labours medicals board Rejected on findings of R. A. F. medicals board Total Per cent. Per cent. Per cent. 1949† 11.9 2.0 13.9 1950 7.8 4.2 12.0 1951 6.1 3.6 9.7 1952 13.2 2.0 15.2 1953‡ 14.3 0.3 14.6 * In this period, about one-fifth of all men medically examined by the Ministry of Labour under the National Service Acts were found unsuitable for any form of military service. These men were not interviewed for service in the Royal Air Force and are excluded from this table. † 27th June to 31st December only. No earlier figures are available. ‡ 1st January to 30th April only.
§ Mr. Hastingsasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the principal affections which were responsible for the rejection of one-third of the National Service men desiring to enter the Royal Air Force during the 12 months ended 30th April, 1953.
Mr. WardThe great majority of these men were rejected after an examination conducted by a Ministry of Labour and National Service medical board; the remainder after a second examination conducted by a Royal Air Force medical board. Most of the rejections by the second board were on the grounds of ear. nose and throat troubles.