§ LORD GARLIESasked the Secretary of State for War, Whether he can state how many of the thirty-eight candidates who were examined for commissions in the Household Regiments on the 5th of June last have been reported as qualified; whether he is aware that the conditions for such qualification were materially altered, but a very short notice having been given to the candidates of such intended alteration; whether it has been brought to his notice that the examiners read the portions for dictation with rapidity, and that the candidates were given no time for correction, punctuation, or writing a fair copy before their papers were collected; and, whether in these circumstances he will be prepared to allow the candidates who have failed in passing this examination to have another opportunity afforded them for qualifying within a reasonable period?
§ MR. CARDWELLSir, I am informed that out of the whole number 16 have been qualified. At the examination in July last it was notified that any future examination would be under new regulations. When the present examination was asked for new regulations were issued accordingly. The principal alteration was that some knowledge of one modern language, either French or German, was required. I have not received an official reply to the letter which I have directed to be written to the Civil Service Commissioners, inquiring into the circumstances referred to in the third Question of the noble Lord; 558 and, of course, it will not be right to presume in the meantime that any miscarriage is to be attributed to them. If the candidate is of the proper age, and has not had three trials, he will be allowed to try again, according to the usual practice; but, until I hear from the Civil Service Commissioners, I must decline to pledge myself to any special permission.