§ MR. KNATCHBULL-HUGESSEN (Kent, Faversham)asked the Secretary to the Admiralty, Whether it has hitherto been the custom to allow certain Dockyard apprentices, at Sheerness, to retain, with their names written in them, school books which have been supplied to them by the Government; whether, recently, certain apprentices, having been given and taken home these books as usual, have been ordered to return them; whether, if this be true, and considered a necessary economy, he will direct that the books should not be given out at all, rather than given and then demanded back; and, whether he will re-consider the present decision, and direct a return to the usual practice, which has hitherto given great satisfaction to a numerous and deserving class?
§ THE SECRETARY (Mr. FORWOOD) (Lancashire, Ormskirk)Until recently the practice as regards the Dockyard apprentices and their school books was that indicated by my hon. Friend's Question. The new Regulation provides that such books shall only be allowed 1615 as a loan. In order, however, to encourage the students in their work, and to draw a distinction between those who work and those who shirk, the Regulation further provides—
That the more expensive Looks are to be awarded as prizes to those apprentices who are recommended in lieu of the often unsuitable books now given.It has, however, been decided that those apprentices who obtain at least 60 per cent of marks at their final examination shall be allowed to retain the text books as their personal property.