HC Deb 25 May 1894 vol 24 cc1281-2
MR. SETON-KARR (St. Helen's)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether the system now coming into force of allowing candidates for the entrance examinations for Woolwich and Sandhurst to choose their own place of written examination from about 20 different centres in the United Kingdom can also be extended to the viva voce and medical examinations; if this extension cannot be made, whether he will state the reason for thus limiting the advantages of the proposed change; and whether he is aware that the above limitation practically prevents the proposed change from conferring any pecuniary advantage or benefit on candidates and their parents?

* MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

I have nothing to add to the answer I gave as to viva voce examinations on the 30th of April last. As regards the medical examinations, which, I may observe, only the successful candidates have to attend, the experiment of holding them at the headquarters of the district has proved far from satisfactory, and 70 per cent. of the candidates prefer London as the place of examination.

MR. SETON-KARR

What was the substance of the answer of April 30?

MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

It was to the effect that there must be uniformity of result in these examinations.

MR. SETON-KARR

Does the limitation have the effect suggested in the last paragraph of my question?

MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

I do not think it does.