asked the Minister of National Service whether he realises that under the system which is now in force, whereby there are different standards of grading for the older men, a man who under the former practice if placed in Grade 3 was not called up, whereas a man coming within the extended military age whose health would formerly have caused him to be placed in Grade 3 is now placed in Grade 2, and as such is now liable to be called up?

The principles underlying the medical grading of men have been in no way changed. A condition of ill-health which would lower grading in a younger man would have a similar or greater effect on an older man. I cannot, therefore, accept the suggestion conveyed in the latter part of the question.