§ MR. BOWERMAN (Deptford)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether it is the intention at the Deptford Victualling Yard to discharge coopers' apprentices after their term of apprenticeship has expired, although there is an assurance in their articles of apprenticeship of regular employment if they prove themselves efficient.
§ MR. McKENNAThe articles of apprenticeship do not give a promise of employment, and the yard regulations are quite clear upon this point. Employment is dependent upon vacancies in the authorised staff; and no vacancies exist at the present time, nor are likely to occur in the near future.