§ MR. WILLIAM REDMONDI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that a Naval officer has recently been appointed to the post of Board of Trade representative at Gravesend, he will consider the advisability of appointing in 928 future to these posts men from the Merchant Service, who have as much experience as naval officers.
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURThe advisability of appointing suitable officers of the Mercantile Marine to such posts as that referred to in the Question is always considered. Of the nautical posts under the Marine Department of the Board of Trade, two only (out of twenty five) are at the present time held by Royal Naval officers.