§ SIR THOMAS BRASSEY (Hastings)asked the Secretary to the Admiralty, If he will lay upon the Table Copies of any recent Reports by the Director of Naval Education on the educational proficiency of the engineer students at Portsmouth and Devonport; and, whether the Admiralty are prepared to appoint head masters of University standing to the schools established at Portsmouth and Devonport for the engineer students, instead of leaving them, as at present, entirely dependent on the schools provided for the instruction of the dockyard apprentices?
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. HIBBERT) (Oldham)I shall have much pleasure in showing the Report referred to to my hon. Friend; and if, after having read it, he still wishes for its presentation, I shall be happy to consider his request. The re-organization of the system of instruction for engineer students is now under consideration, and I hope to be able to give further information on the subject 1171 when Vote 5 of the Navy Estimates is under the consideration of the Committee. I may add, however, that the views of the present Board upon this important question are very much in accord with those of my hon. Friend.