§ COLONEL LOCKWOOD (Essex, Epping)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that nearly 70 per cent. of the candidates fail in the copying of manuscript, a necessary subject in the examination of non-commissioned officers for promotion to the rank of sergeant-major, in which 60 marks out of a maximum of 100 are received; and if he will consider the substitution of some other subject in this examination?
§ *MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANThe qualification in copying manuscript is 50 and not 60 marks in the hundred, and the failures in the last two complete examinations were respectively under 25 and 23 per cent., instead of 70 per cent. as stated in the question. On active service warrant officers will have to read reports and orders often hastily written, perhaps in the saddle and in pencil; and the deciphering of manuscript is considered a fair and useful test before promotion.