§ CAPTAIN PRICE (Devonport)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether it is the case that there is a considerable falling off in the number of candidates for the engineering branch of the Royal Navy, and that this falling off is becoming more apparent every year; and, if so, what steps he proposes to take to render this branch of the Service more attractive to suitable candidates?
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. FORWOOD, Lancashire, Ormskirk)There were 93 candidates last year for 40 vacancies as engineer students, and so far there are 110 candidates for 45 vacancies at the ensuing examination. The number of candidates for the appointments offered to engineer students educated at private establishments, and for Probationary Assistant Engineers, are comparatively small, and the conditions of entry as regards these classes are being inquired into.