§ 33. Mr. FINNEYasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is prepared to put in operation the findings of the Haldane inquiry as to the means of democratising the methods of admission to the military academies of Sandhurst and Woolwich?
§ Mr. WALSHI am not quite sure what the hon. Member has in mind. About 5 per cent. of the Cadets are selected on the nomination of headmasters, and about 2 per cent. are nominated by the Department as King's Cadets, i.e., sons of officers killed in action or otherwise deserving. Otherwise the only method of admission is that of open competition. The recommendations of Lord Haldane's Committee have been generally accepted by the Army Council and steps are being taken to embody them in regulations. At Sandhurst, 15 cadetships a term are being reserved for candidates from the ranks, and there are a number of such cadets at Sandhurst now.
§ Mr. WALLHEADAre those military competitions open to the rank and file of the Army?
§ Mr. WALSHIt is very difficult to say that. I can only answer the question 1159 submitted, but I think that I ought to say that, as a result of the Haldane Committee, a great many secondary schools will have these things thrown open to them, and this will have the effect of bringing about the democratisation desired.