§ MR. SALTasked the Secretary of State for War, When it was decided at the War Office that the Candidates for Commissions should not be permitted to put their names down for Commissions after the age of fourteen; whether it is true that only one month's notice was given of this change, and whether an advertisement informing the public of this change was inserted in "The Times" newspaper 392 only; whether he considers this notice sufficient in the case of an alteration so interesting and so important to many families; and, what is the earliest age at which the name of a Candidate for a Commission may be put down?
§ MR. CARDWELLSir, it was decided on the 27th of May, 1870, in consequence of the large number of candidates already on the list, and the consequent lapse of time which must ensue before any new candidate could receive commissions, that no such candidates should be entered after the age of 14. I am informed that on the 2nd of June notice was sent by the Military Secretary for publication to The Times, Army and Navy Gazette, Telegraph, Standard, Globe, and Morning Post. The object of the limit and of the notice was to prevent disappointment to intending candidates and their families. No limit has been prescribed for the earliest age at which a name can be put down. The notice was to take effect from July 1.