asked the Minister for Defence if he has examined the position regarding the selection of Naval Service cadets in the light of his reply to Parliamentary Question No. 7 of 19 June 1980; and if he will indicate why so many candidates were regarded as unsuitable.
Written Answers. - Naval Service Cadets.
41.
The method of selection of cadets for the Naval Service is laid down in Defence Force Regulations. Cadetships are awarded only to candidates who are deemed to possess the necessary qualifications which would enable them to complete satisfactorily the rigorous course of training and to become efficient officers of the service.
In the case of the competition for cadetships in the executive branch of the service held in 1979, a total of 220 candidates were admitted to the competition and called to a preliminary interview before a board of naval officers. The number called to the final interview was 77 and, of these, 24 failed to report for the interview, five failed the medical examination, one withdrew before the interview and 47 were actually interviewed. Of the 20 found suitable by the board, two were found ineligible on educational grounds and 12 accepted offers of appointment.
In the competition for cadetships in the engineering branch of the service, the number of applicants was 68, 19 of whom were ineligible on educational or other grounds. Of the 49 called for interview before a board of naval officers, eight failed to report for interview and three failed the medical examination. Of the 38 candidates interviewed, eight were found suitable by the board and five of these accepted offers of appointment.
Candidates appearing before final interview boards are assessed under the following headings:—
Personality, general knowledge, games and sport, intelligence and general suitability. In order to qualify, a candidate must receive not less than 53 per cent of the total marks which may be alloted by the board to any one candidate.