HC Deb 14 April 1953 vol 514 cc5-6W
Mr. Malcolm MacPherson

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will arrange that Scottish applicants for Welbeck College may send their applications to Scottish Command instead of to the War Office.

Mr. Head

If this were done there would be delay since the applications would have to be sent on to the War Office who examine them and arrange for the candidates to be interviewed.

Mr. Malcolm MacPherson

asked the Secretary of State for War why he proposes to have a fresh intake of pupils to Welbeck College at the beginning of each term; and what consideration he has given to the possibility of having a fresh intake only at the beginning of each session, bearing in mind the greater convenience, in making their plans, that this would be to both pupils and parents.

Mr. Head

There are two entries a year, one in January and one in September, in order to conform with the entries into the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst.

Mr. Malcolm MacPherson

asked the Secretary of State for War why applications for the January vacancies at Welbeck College are required over seven months before the vacancies arise; and how soon applicants will be informed of their success or failure.

Mr. Head

The closing date of 1st June is designed to ensure that the results of the interview board are made known to parents and guardians in time to enable them to give, where this is required, a full term's notice of the withdrawal of the successful boys from their present schools. It is the intention to notify the results during August.

Mr. Malcolm MacPherson

asked the Secretary of State for War what advice he received from the Scottish Office before deciding on 1st June as the date by which applicants for January vacancies at Welbeck College must be received; and whether he is satisfied that all potential applicants who are candidates for the Scottish Leaving Certificate will have been informed of their examination results by that date.

Mr. Head

The Scottish Education Department were consulted before this decision was taken. If the results of the Scottish Leaving Certificate are not available before the boys are interviewed, the selection board will judge the attainments of the candidates concerned, as of those who take the General Certificate of Education in June and July, from their headmasters' reports and the results of an education test taken at the time of interview.