§ MR. BARTLEY (Islington, N.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the engineer officers in the Navy are at their full strength; and, if not, will he state what is the number of present vacancies.
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. ARNOLD-FORSTER, Belfast, W.)The numbers of engineer officers voted for the year 1902–1903 are not at present fully borne, and as the entry of officers from Keyham and from outside technical colleges docs not take place until July, the hon. Member will understand that it is never possible for the numbers voted to be reached by this period of the financial year. The number of vacancies remaining to be filled is eighty-five.
§ MR. BARTLEYI beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will state how many vacancies were
* See preceding volume, p. 823.1181 offered, how many candidates sat, and how many were successful at the last two examinations in January and March for the rank of assistant engineers for temporary service in the Navy.
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERThere was no specific number of appointments as assistant engineers for temporary service offered for competition either in January or March. The examination in January was not held, as no candidates were forthcoming; in March two candidates presented themselves, of whom one was successful.
§ MR. BARTLEYAm I to understand that these two examinations failed to attract any candidates?
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERFor temporary engineers, yes.
§ MR. WILLIAM ALLAN (Gateshead)May I ask whether there are at present engineers sufficient to man the A Division of the Fleet Reserve at Chatham?
§ * Mr. SPEAKEROrder, order! That does not arise out of the answer.