§ SIR A. ROLLIT (Islington, S.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether, having regard to the representations recently made to the First Lord of the Admiralty and the President of the Board of Trade, it is intended to take any steps to secure a more practical training for boys entering the sea service?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. BRYCE,) Aberdeen, S.My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question, which concerns the training of boys for the Mercantile Marine more directly than it affects the Royal Navy. I can assure the hon. Member that the representations referred to in the question have not been lost sight of, but the matter is surrounded with difficulties, and, desirous as I am to take any steps that can tend to secure a full supply of well-trained boys for the Merchant Service, I cannot venture to say more at present than that the matter will continue to engage my earnest consideration.