HC Deb 24 January 1945 vol 407 cc804-6
27. Rear-Admiral Beamish

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the reasons for now holding the written examinations for Dartmouth entries before the interview; how long this method has been in force; and if it is intended to adhere to it.

The First Lord of the Admiralty (Mr. A. V. Alexander)

The change in procedure was made to save trouble and expense to all concerned. The change has been in force since the Spring Examination of 1940, and, in the light of the experience gained, it is proposed to adhere to the present system.

Rear-Admiral Beamish

Could my right hon. Friend give an idea of the proportion of failures at the interview?

Mr. Alexander

The quality of the candidates generally is very good indeed. The number of failures is very small, and we have no lack of other candidates to replace those who fail.

Vice-Admiral Taylor

Surely the fact that so many candidates pass the examination and then fail when they come up for an interview, must raise doubts in the minds of the parents?

Mr. Alexander

I do not consider it a bad system to see what academic attainments a boy has before his interview. Otherwise, many boys would make useless journeys, at great expense to the parents.

28. Rear-Admiral Beamish

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if the system of allotting, at the Dartmouth entrance examinations, 50 per cent. of the scholarships to entries from private schools is adhered to in the event of candidates from other sources having proved themselves more highly qualified; and has such a situation occurred.

Mr. Alexander

Candidates from private schools are eligible for scholarships only when they show themselves to be equal or superior in ability to boys awarded scholarships from grant-aided schools. The second part of the Question does not arise.

Rear-Admiral Beamish

Has the converse situation to that described in the Question arisen, with regard to 60 per cent. of entries being awarded to entrants from State schools?

Mr. Alexander

There has been no difficulty at all. In fact we adopt a minimum standard at which scholarships can be obtained, and we have had no difficulty in awarding the full number of scholarships both to State-aided scholars and to private scholars up to the present time.

29. Rear-Admiral Beamish

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty why parents of candidates winning scholarships at the Dartmouth Naval College entrance examinations are subjected to a means test for fees payable at this State school; and is this test applied to the parents of all scholars.

Mr. Alexander

In accordance with the practice for the award of scholarships to State-aided schools generally, the fees for all boys awarded scholarships at the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, from whatever school they come, vary according to the means of the parent. The Question does not arise in the case of non-scholarship cadets unless and until the parent applies for reduced fees. In such cases fees are assessed on the parents' ability to pay.

Rear-Admiral Beamish

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that information is available to show that quite a number of individuals who sacrifice a great deal for the education of their boys find that failure to have a means test applied to them causes them heavy expense, compared with the parents of boys who come from State schools?

Mr. Alexander

I do not know what my hon. and gallant Friend means by "failure to have the means test applied to them." The allowances made by the Admiralty in regard to income are fairly generous in assessing what scholarships shall be given, and my hon. and gallant Friend must admit that we have made a large step forward during the war to assist such cases.

Mr. Kenneth Lindsay

In view of the success of the scheme, would the right hon. Gentleman not consider making all entries to Dartmouth subject to this means test, instead of having this rather silly class division?

Mr. Alexander

There is no class division. It does not matter which group a candidate for a scholarship comes into, if it is shown that his parents are unable to contribute anything for his fees or maintenance, it is possible for him to have entirely free tuition.

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