§ MR. C. DUNCAN (Barrow-in-Furness)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty what new rules have been instituted since 1st January, 1908, regarding the qualifications for mechanicians; why has the standard of the preliminary examination been relaxed; what numbers of eligible candidates have refused the offer of training for mechanician; and what were the principal objections raised by them.
§ MR. McKENNAThere are no rules, but for the present, until the stoker ratings trained under the revised regulations introduced in 1906 are eligible for the mechanician course, applicants to qualify for mechanician are subjected to 1541 a preliminary examination at sea to test their general suitability. In January last it appeared that a sufficient number of candidates were not coming forward for the next course, and directions were given that the standard of the preliminary test might be slightly reduced as a purely temporary measure. There are now more than a sufficient number of candidates. Of the eligible volunteers for the mechanician course since 1st January, 1908, only one has withdrawn on the ground that he did not wish to re-engage to complete time for pension. The principal reasons which deterred men who entered under the old regulations for volunteering for mechanician appear to be—(1) Doubt as to their ability to pass the educational part of the preliminary test and disinclination to begin school work again. (2) Disinclination of men with homes at Chat- ham and Portsmouth to remove to Devonport. (3) Unwillingness to reengage for ten years, with possibility of failing to qualify for mechanician. (4) Prospect of considerable period of time at sea. (5) New regulations not thoroughly understood. The number of men who did not volunteer for the above reasons cannot be stated.