COLONEL BERESFORDasked the President of the Board of Trade, Why, 1111 under the Merchant Shipping Act of 1854, those naval officers who had passed their examination for Lieutenant and Navy Lieutenant should only be entitled to a certificate of service as Master Mariner, which certificate is exceedingly disadvantageous to them when in merchant employ, as it prevents them commanding emigrant ships, and in many cases keeps them out of valuable employment; and, whether there would be any objection to granting such officers who have passed the requisite examination to qualify themselves for the higher position in Her Majesty's Navy a certificate of competency as Master Mariner on producing such certificate of examination?
§ SIR CHARLES ADDERLEY, in reply, said, certificates of service were given as stated in the Question, under the 135th section of the Merchant Shipping Act, of 1854. Examinations for certificates of competency under the 134th section were examinations specially directed to the requirements of the Merchant Service, and it appeared to him to be necessary that naval officers who wished for certificates of that description should pass that examination.