HC Deb 05 November 1908 vol 195 cc1390-1
MR. BELLAIRS (Lynn Regis)

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the papers set to cadets passing out of Dartmouth in recent examinations have or have not been previously submitted in draft to the headmaster at Dartmouth.

MR MCKENNA

Yes, Sir.

MR. BELLAIRS

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will put an end to the practice of the masters at the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, obtaining foreknowledge of questions the cadets are going to be asked; and will he undertake to withdraw the instruction to the examiners for the cadets, issued by the Director of Naval Education, which requires them to submit to the headmaster of the college the questions that they are going to ask.

MR. MCKENNA

No, Sir.

MR. BELLAIRS

Am I to understand that the headmaster of the college who is responsible for the system of education is to have prior knowledge of all the questions to be asked by the examiners?

MR. MCKENNA

In accordance with the practice which prevails at all the modern Universities, English, Scottish, and Welsh, and the schemes which are being adopted at the old Universities, it is proposed that the headmaster should combine with the examiners.

MR. BELLAIRS

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the questions leak out, and that it is a matter of open scandal?

MR. MCKENNA

No, Sir. I know it to be absolutely unfounded.

MR. BOWLES (Lambeth, Norwood)

Is the House to understand that a full knowledge of the questions is confined to the headmaster, or is it shared by other masters?

MR. MCKENNA

That would be in the discretion of the headmaster.

MR. ASHLEY (Lancashire, Blackpool)

Will the right hon. Gentleman say what purpose is served by giving the headmaster a knowledge of these questions?

MR. MCKENNA

In a case of this kind, where there is no competition between outside boys and the boys at Dartmouth, great advantage is obtained by the examiners being placed in communication with the headmaster. A system of examination by the headmaster alone is in practice in many of these schools; but an external examiner has been called in on the present occasion. I accept full responsibility.