§ MR. C. W. CAYZER (Barrow-in-Furness)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether, having regard to the fact that, in reply to the inquiries made by the Board of Trade of the engineer firms, associations and ship- 484 owners, they have generally approved of the extension of the period of apprenticeship to be required of candidates for examination for engineer certificates in the Mercantile Marine from three to five years, and that a third-grade certificate should be created for those who have passed the prescribed examination and have the necessary workshop and sea service, he (the President) will state whether the Board of Trade will now amend the existing regulations to be required of candidates for marine engineer certificates and create a third-grade certificate?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. C. T. RITCHIE,) CroydonThe proposal to extend the period of apprenticeship for marine engineers could be carried into effect by Board of Trade regulation, but, although it has been strongly supported, it is opposed by the Chamber of Shipping and other important representative bodies, and must therefore receive further consideration before any change is made. The suggestion that a third-grade certificate should be created would require legislation to give it effect, and I am afraid the prospects of such legislation are remote.