§ MR. HERBERT KNATCHBULL-HUGESSEN (Kent, Faversham)asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether it is the fact that, up to quite recently, it has been the practice in the dockyards for the instructors of apprentices to receive 2s. a week for their trouble; that this remuneration is now withdrawn in the case of instructors of apprentices who have served four years of their time; and that the men are expected to instruct these apprentices without the slightest remuneration; and whether he will direct that this payment be restored to the men.
§ *THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (Lord G. HAMILTON, Middlesex, Ealing)The facts are as stated in the question. The decision to discontinue the remuneration for the in-instruction of apprentices, who have served four years of their time, was come to after very full consideration, it being clear that a course of four years' actual instruction was sufficient. I do not propose to rescind the recent orders issued in consequence of that decision.
§ MR. H. KNATCHBULL-HUGESSENIn consequence of the reply of the noble Lord I beg to give notice that T will call attention to the matter on an early day.