§ MR. CONYBEARE (Cornwall, Camborne)asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, If he will specify what consideration the Royal Naval Engine Room Artificers have received from the Board of Admiralty; and, whether any, 561 and what, steps have been taken to improve their position since their case was mentioned and supported by two Members of the present Government in the Debate on the Navy Estimates on the 18th of March last?
§ THE FIRST LORD (Lord GEORGE HAMILTON) (Middlesex, Ealing)I stated the other day that the position and comfort of the engine room artificers will receive every consideration from the Admiralty, and to that statement I have nothing to add. Since the 18th of March the Admiralty have been in communication with the Treasury in reference to a proposed increase of these chief petty officers; but, with this exception, nothing else has been done to improve their position. The engine room artificers are a valuable body of men, and have done good service; but, so far from there being any difficulty in obtaining them at present, good candidates for entry have to be turned away as the list is full.