§ SIR CHARLES CAYZERTo ask the Secretary to the Board of Trade whether, if it is not possible to give the average yearly payment per boy by a reduction in the light dues for apprentices carried under the scheme of the President of the Beard in 1898, he will state the number of apprentices carried under the scheme each year from 1898 to the end of the year 1903, with the payments for each of these years.
(Answered by Mr. Bonar Law.) The scheme for boy sailors referred to in the Question did not come into force until April 1st, 1899. In the year 1899–1900 the number of boys enrolled was 302 and the payments made were £672 14s. 7d. In 1900–1 the number of boys enrolled was 454 and the payments made were £1,647 3s. 9d. In 1901–2 the number of boys enrolled was 691 and the payments made were £2,861 9s. l1d. In 629 1902–3 the number of boys enrolled was and the payments made ware £3,938 8s. 8d. In 1903–4 the number of boys enrolled was 1,065 and the payments made were £4,533 19s. 3d.