THE MERCANTILE MARINE AND THE ROYAL NAVAL RESERVE.

HC Deb 26 October 1899 vol 77 cc734-5

SIR CHARLES DILKE

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade what number of firms of shipowners has enrolled boys as probationers in the Royal Naval Reserve under the provisions of the Mercantile Marine Fund Act of 1898; and what is the number of boys so enrolled.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. RITCHIE,) Croydon

Forty-four firms of shipowners (some of them of the highest position) have enrolled boys as probationers in the Royal Naval Reserve under the Act referred to, and the number of boys so enrolled is 184.