§ MR. BARNESI beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty by whose authority 1698 and for what reason has the standard for entry of engine-room artificers into His Majesty's service been recently reduced; and are candidates allowed a second opportunity of competing directly after failing to pass, or must a specified period elapse before another trial is permitted.
§ MR. MCKENNANo reduction has recently been made in the standard for entry of engine-room artificers. There is no specified period which must elapse before a second trial is allowed to a candidate who has failed to pass, the examining officers at the ports alone being in the position to judge whether it is any use allowing a man who has failed another attempt, and if so, how soon he should present himself for re-examination.