HC Deb 01 December 1909 vol 13 cc498-9
Mr. ARTHUR LEE

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the usual competitive examinations for entrance to the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, have been abandoned, and all candidates who pass the qualifying examination are to be admitted without further test; and, if so, what is the reason for this departure from the established practice?

The SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Mr. Haldane)

In the competitive examination that was to have been held this month the number of qualified candidates who applied for admission to the Royal Military Academy did not exceed the number of cadetships offered for competition, and the number of qualified candi- dates who applied for admission to the Royal Military College was only slightly in excess of the number of cadetships offered for competition, and this number will probably be further reduced by medical rejections. It was accordingly considered unnecessary in the interests of both parents and candidates to hold the usual competitive examination. It must be remembered that the intake of cadets into the cadet colleges has recently been increased owing to the demand for regular officers for the Special Reserve and Territorial Force.

Mr. LEE

Will the right hon. Gentleman say to what reason he attributes this sudden lack of desire on the part of young men to enter the Army?

Mr. HALDANE

I will answer that. There is no lack of desire, but there is a lack of qualification. The standard of education for officers has risen in consequence of the progress in their duties, and the qualifying educational standard is a bar to a great many coming in. I am taking all the steps I can to meet the difficulties, because the one thing I am anxious about is not to lower the standard of the education of officers in the Army.

Mr. LEE

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is making representations to the public schools with regard to their inability to supply candidates who comply with the qualification?

Mr. HALDANE

I am not only making representations, but I am conferring with them myself, and it remains to be seen what comes of it.