EARL PERCYasked the Secretary of State for War, Whether he can now inform the House what steps he proposes to take with regard to the system of examination of officers for promotion in the Army; and, whether he can afford any relief to those who have suffered from the present regulations?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONAfter carefully looking into the subject, I have come to the conclusion that the aggregate of marks required—namely, 55, is too high, and that it should be reduced to the former standard— namely, .5. The aggregate was, I understand, increased to compensate for a reduction which was simultaneously made in the minimum of each subject; but, on the whole, I think that the old aggregate standard was sufficiently high. I have also carefully considered the circumstances of the last examination in which so many officers failed to qualify. I find that in one of the examination papers there was, unfortunately, a typographical error which, though not of great importance, undoubtedly did prejudicially affect the papers of several of those who failed to qualify; and I have, therefore, decided that the record of that examination, so far as it regards the unsuccessful candidates, shall be cancelled, and that they shall be allowed another trial at the examination in July.