§ Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Defence what study he has made of the evidence supplied 364W to him indicating 82 per cent. of officers passing out from Sandhurst come from independent schools and over 34 per cent. from 14 particular public schools; if he will take steps to ensure that commissioned officers in the Army, Royal Navy, and Royal Air Force are more socially representative; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Wiggin:No such evidence has been supplied to me. Applications for commissions are encouraged from suitable candidates from schools of all types and acceptance depends entirely upon their ability to meet the high standards of an officer. No distinction is made between applicants from the State and independent sectors.