§ 43. Mr. WATTasked the Under-Secretary of State for War What is the system at Grove Park of passing candidates for positions of officers; are the results of the examinations on the subjects taught the sole criterion for appointment, or do the three or four officers who constitute the board there arbitrarily say who shall be 1026 appointed and who shall not; and are only those who have been educated at schools which meet with the approval of these three or four officers permitted appointments in that department of the British Army?
§ Mr. TENNANTResults of examinations are not the sole criterion for appointment of officers of the Mechanical Transport Branch of the Army Service Corps. It is not the case that anyone arbitrarily says who shall be appointed and who shall not; and the school at which the candidate has been educated does not affect the decision. Many other qualifications, besides ability to pass examinations, are required of the candidate to give him the necessary command over men who will be serving under him. These qualifications are assessed primarily at the War Office by officers specially appointed for this purpose, and subsequently, at Grove Park by the Commanding Officer, assisted by his instructors, whilst the cadets are undergoing training. Recommendations are forwarded to the War Office for final approval, after cadets have completed their training.
§ Mr. WATTIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that in fact only men educated at certain schools are given these appointments, and that few, if any, of these schools are Scottish schools?
§ Mr. TENNANTI made it my business to go down and see Grove Park, and I can assure the hon. Member that he is under a great misapprehension if he thinks that it is not admirably managed.