HC Deb 14 February 1888 vol 322 c380
MR. DE LISLE(for Mr. HOWORTH) (Salford, S.)

asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether his attention has been called to the Regulations recently issued for the entrance examination at Woolwich by which, in the scientific branches of the Army, the marks allotted to scientific proficiency are greatly reduced in relative value and scientific excellence, and correspondingly discouraged among the candidates; and, whether these Regulations are final and permanent, or only temporary?

THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. E. STANHOPE) (Lincolnshire, Horncastle)

The new Regulations are intended to be of permanent application. By these Regulations the same marks are assigned as under the last Regulations to physical science; but a greater number is awarded to mathematics, history, and languages; so that, proficiency in physical sciences will count for less in the competition. The subject has been very fully considered by a strong Committee, and the preponderance has been given to those subjects which are to the majority of officers of the greatest practical importance, while they are believed also to be those least easily crammed.