§ MR. MARJORIBANKS (Berwickshire)asked the Secretary to the Trea- 330 sury, Whether there is any objection to giving the marks obtained by candidates at the recent Sandhurst examination in each of the two mathematical papers set at that examination instead of the marks obtained in the two combined; and, whether, for the future, the Rule will be laid down that the marks obtained by each candidate in each several paper set by the examiners under the Civil Service Commission will be given separately?
§ THE FIRST LORD (Mr. W. H. SMITH) (Strand, Westminster)The right hon. Gentleman will see that his Question implies doubt as to the fairness or capacity of the officers of the Civil Service Commission; and he appears to desire that material should be afforded to this House to enable it to review the course and the results of the examinations undertaken by the Commissioners. It would, in the judgment of the Government, be quite impossible to sanction such a proceeding. The decisions of the Commissioners are final by the authority of the Acts of Parliament and Orders in Council under which they are constituted. The Government have no right of interference; and, in their judgment, it would be impossible for any other authority to intervene without extreme peril to the highest public interests.
§ MR. MARJORIBANKSsaid, he had no desire whatever to review the work of the Civil Service Commissioners. All he asked was whether it would not be possible for the examiners to give the exact number of marks obtained by each candidate?
§ MR. W. H. SMITHWe have not thought it reasonable in the circumstances.
§ MR. MARJORIBANKSEvery other body of examiners does so.