§ MR. MILDMAY (Devonshire, Totnes)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether it is a fact that the rating of shipwright has suddenly been closed to carpenters' crews who had not passed the shipwright's examination prior to 1906; and whether, if that be so, he will take into consideration the claims to advancement to this rating of those who, under a misapprehension, have worked for and passed the examinations for 397 shipwrights and leading shipwrights, and who joined His Majesty's Navy under the inducement held out to them that this way would be open to them to attain the position of petty officer.
§ THE CIVIL LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. LAMBERT, Devonshire, South Molton)It is not correct to say that the rating of shipwright has suddenly been closed to leading carpenters' crews who had not passed prior to 1906. Owing to the redistribution of the Fleet and the paying off of some of the older vessels, the higher ratings in the shipwright and other artisan classes are overborne, and consequently the advancement of the lower ratings, which normally is only made when there are vacancies, has been delayed. The matter is now engaging the attention of the Admiralty.
§ MR. MILDMAYasked whether he might conclude that, upon the block being removed, the rating of shipwright would be reopened to leading carpenter's crews?
§ MR. BOWLES (Lambeth, Norwood)asked if the regulations of 1906 still held good.
§ MR. LAMBERTsaid he could only repeat that the whole matter was being considered by the Admiralty.
§ MR. MILDMAYexpressed the hope that he might gather that such advancement was only delayed until the block had been removed.