§ 27. Sir B. FALLEasked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the War Office insist on the Civil Service Commissioners definitely refusing under the rules to accept lads of 17½ for the Army Entrance Examination on 5th November if they should not have attained that age on the 1st November and refusing to accept lads who attain that age one day or two later and before the examination takes place on 5th November; and if he will reconsider this ruling in view of the 1338 fact that we are at war and officers are wanted and that boys who cannot, owing to this rule, be examined on 5th November must wait eight months for the next examination?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI am afraid it is necessary to adhere rigidly to the rules laid down. I would remind my hon. and gallant Friend that the examination is competitive, and any deviation from the Rules in favour of a candidate would be regarded as unfair to the other competitors.