HC Deb 30 May 1911 vol 26 c883
Colonel YATE

asked whether the sons or grandsons of officers, who have served in the Home, Indian, or Colonial Armies, may be given the first claim to compete for the new scholarships that are to be offered for competition at the military colleges?

Colonel SEELY

The Army Council, after full consideration, decided that it would be in the best interests of the Service that the competition for these scholarships should be open and not confined to any particular classes. There is no present intention of departing from this decision.

Colonel YATE

Is not the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that many of the cadets who come into the Army are the sons of men who do not need help; whether there are many whose fathers and grandfathers have been in the Army? Is he not also aware that men in the Army can make no provision for their sons, and are therefore more deserving of consideration?

Colonel SEELY

Concessions are already made, as my hon. and gallant Friend knows, to this class of cadet, and that point was taken into account when this decision was come to.

Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTT

Has the hon. Gentleman received any further indication of the desire for the application of the hereditary principle to the Army staff?