§ MR. KEARLEY (Devonport)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether his attention has been drawn to the dissatisfaction shown by the representations made to the Admiralty at the limitation of the right to sit for examination as boy artificer, under the new naval scheme, to sons of warrant officers, chief petty officers, and charge men; and, if so, will he consider the possibility of revising the conditions so as to afford an equality of opportunity to the sons of all employees, irrespective of rank, rating, and trade.
§ MR ARNOLD-FORSTERThe arrangements made for the first entry of boy artificers were purely exceptional. In view of the fact that the ship was ready for the accommodation of the boys, and that it was most desirable to avoid any delay, a certain number of candidates for examination were selected from the classes named in the hon. Member's Question. From and after April next the entry of boy artificers will be by open competition, subject to the reservation of a few nominations for service candidates.