§ MAJOR SEELY (Isle of Wight)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War how many candidates for commissions in the Army have been rejected since 1st January, 1905, owing to their obtaining an insufficient number of marks in competitive examination; how many have been admitted without obtaining any marks at ail in this examination; and on what grounds distinction has been made between the candidates.
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERSince the 1st January, 1905, thirty-four candidates have failed at the competitive examination for admission to the Army. In view of the shortage of officers in the Household Cavalry and Guards twenty-three gentlemen have been nominated on probation without passing the competitive examination, but subject to passing a professional examination after two years probationary service, their commissions as second lieutenant to bear date from passing this examination. Of these twenty-three two were included in the thirty-four mentioned above.
§ MAJOR SEELYsaid the right hon. Gentleman had not explained on what ground distinction was made between candidates.
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERsaid no distinction was made. Officers were nominated by the officer commanding the regiment according to his idea of the fitness of the officer in question.
§ MAJOR SEELYWhy were none of the commissions given to rejected candidates who were anxious to obtain nominations?
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERThe War Office had no control over the nomination.
§ MR. SEYMOUR ORMSBY-GORE (Lincolnshire, Gainsborough)Were these candidates educated at public schools?
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERI cannot say.