§ MR. BOWERMAN (Deptford)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty what reduction in the qualifications for the rating of mechanician have been necessitated by the dearth of candidates; and how it is proposed to make up a sufficient number of men for the next mechanician course.
§ MR. McKENNANo reduction has has been made in the qualifications required for the rating of mechanician. It is anticipated that there will be a full supply of volunteers when the new rules are in full working, order; but in the meantime, the standard of the preliminary examination to be passed afloat, prior to selection of candidates for the mechanician course, has been slightly relaxed.