§ MR. STACPOOLEasked the Secretary of State for War, If it is the fact that after the result of the last competitive examination for admission into the Royal Woolwich Academy had been returned by the Examiners, eleven competitors whom they had not certified were admitted as students; whether the eleventh person so admitted was not the son of an influential military officer; if this is so, by whose authority and under what rule was this exceptional admission made; and will all those candidates for admission into the Academy be now allowed to enter, who at previous examinations have scored higher marks than those eleven so alleged to be exceptionally admitted, and who have been rejected; and, whether there would be any objection to produce the Correspondence relating to this matter?
§ MR. CARDWELLSir, in making the transition from the old to the new rules, some elasticity has been necessary in order to avoid injustice to those who were preparing to be examined for admission into the Royal Academy at Woolwich under rules previously published. In this instance it had been originally announced that the age would be 18½, but the limit was subsequently extended to 19. It occurred, however, that among the successful candidates 11 were over 18½, whereby 11 under that age, who would otherwise have succeeded, were excluded. It was considered just to these candidates to admit them, and they have been admitted accordingly. In answer to the rather unworthy suspicion suggested in the second Question, I have to say that the reason I have given was the only reason why this arrangement was made. I am, however, informed that the eleventh candidate was a gentleman named Haig, whose father is a private gentleman, and was never in the public service. The arrangement was made by my authority. It has reference to the circumstances of the present examination only. The hon. Member is at liberty to see the Correspondence if he desires it; but I see no reason for printing it at the public expense.