Oral Answers to Questions — Royal Air Force. – in the House of Commons at on 21 February 1940.
Mr. W. A. Robinson asked:
the Secretary of State for Air whether he will inform the House on what medical grounds Tommy Farr, 26 years of age, boxing champion, was released from military service?
Sir Kingsley Wood
, Woolwich West
This man was found on medical examination to be below the required standard for the Royal Air Force and he was accordingly recommended for discharge.
Mr. Robinson:
Is the Minister aware that physically this man must be fit because he has signed to fight for a £20,000 purse for the heavyweight championship of the world? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this case is causing great concern in the country, when a man living in my own Division who is blind in one eye cannot get out of the army?
Sir Kingsley Wood
, Woolwich West
I am sorry to hear of the latter case. It is a matter for the Secretary of State for War. As regards the former case, however considerable are the qualifications to which the hon. Member has referred, the man is still not up to the required standard.
Mr Tom Smith
, Normanton
Can the right hon. Gentleman say how long this man was in the service and whether he was physically fit when he was passed?
Sir Kingsley Wood
, Woolwich West
This decision was reached on a further examination, I understand.
Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
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