§ MR. H. E. KEARLEY (Devonport)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty for what reasons boatswains of the Royal Navy are not permitted to qualify for a gunnery certificate on similar terms to those extended to gunners by Admiralty Circular of 12th March last?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. G. J. GOSCHEN,) St. George's, Hanover SquareBoatswains are not called upon to perform the duties of gunners, and thus there are no reasons for allowing them to qualify in gunnery. Petty officers who are candidates for boatswains' warrants are allowed to change their election for promotion to gunners or torpedo gunners, if they are considered suitable.