HC Deb 18 March 1862 vol 165 c1747
MR. CONINGHAM

said, he wished to ask the Secretary of State for War, Why admissions to Sandhurst are not placed on the same footing as those to Woolwich—namely, competitive examination?

SIR GEORGE LEWIS

said, the answer to his hon. Friend's question was this—that Woolwich was an academy for the education of officers of the Engineers and Artillery, and it was thought desirable to obtain greater securities with respect to the scientific attainments and intellectual ability of the candidates for those two services, than of candidates for regiments of the Line.