HC Deb 29 April 1953 vol 514 cc2138-40
38. Dr. King

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many boys from secondary grammar schools, and how many boys from independent and direct-grant schools, passed the recent written examination for the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth; and how many of each group were selected for cadetships by the interviewing board.

The Parliamentary and Financial Secretary to the Admiralty (Commander Allan Noble)

Forty boys from secondary grammar schools and 46 from independent and direct grant schools passed the written examination in the competition for the entry in May, 1953, of naval cadets at age 16. The interview board passed 17 and 34 boys, respectively, from these groups of schools.

Dr. King

I congratulate the public school boys on their success. Is the Minister aware, however, that many of us are concerned about the comparative failure of grammar school boys to satisfy an interviewing panel that they, too, contain the qualities necessary in young officers? Does not the Minister think that the time has come either to reform grammar school education or to change the interviewing panel?

Commander Noble

I ask the hon. Member to await the report of the Committee which my right hon. Friend has set up to examine this subject. I have, however, some information which might interest the hon. Member about this entry. Of the first five successful candidates for the executive branch in the present examination, three—the first, fourth and fifth—were grammar school boys. Of the candidates who were successful both in the written examination and at the interview, the four with the highest interview marks came from grammar schools.

Mr. Niall Macpherson

To get this matter in perspective, can my hon. and gallant Friend state the total intake?

Commander Noble

I think my hon. Friend will find the intake from the figures I have given.

Mr. Hamilton

Will the Minister circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the names of the members of the interviewing board.

Commander Noble

I will consider that, but I think that the names of the interviewing board have been given to the House before.

Mr. Ede

Without revealing the individuals involved, but by some means by which the order can be indicated, could the hon. and gallant Gentleman publish a list showing the actual marks obtained by each candidate in each part of the examination?

Commander Noble

I will certainly consider that, but these are the sort of points that would be best discussed when the report comes before hon. Members.

39. Brigadier Rayner

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when the report on cadet entry to Dartmouth College will be published.

Commander Noble

My right hon. Friend has decided to publish this report: publication will take place as soon as possible.