MR. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty, what is the present number of midshipmen borne on the active list of the Royal Naval Reserves; whether that list is full; and whether there are any qualified candidates, and, if so, how many, waiting for appointment; and, whether, in considering applications for appointment as midshipman in the Reserve, any special consideration is given to those coming from sons of naval officers?
§ The FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. G. J. GOSCHEN, St. George's,) Hanover SquareThe present number of midshipmen on the list of the Royal Naval Reserve is 440. It is now full. There are 27 qualified candidates who have applied for appointment. The fact of a candidate being the son of a naval officer is, together with other points, considered, but the appointment must depend upon his general qualifications for a commission in the Royal Naval Reserve.