§ SIR G. KEKEWICH (Exeter)To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether it is the practice for the Board of Trade to charge a fee of £1 to candidates presenting themselves for examination for first and second mates in the merchant service; whether, in the event of their failing, a further fee of £1 is charged for every subsequent examination; and, if so, whether he can see his way to make the first fee of £1 cover all subsequent examinations of the same candidate for the same grade.
(Answered by Mr. Churchill.) The practice is as stated in the first part of the Question, except that the fee for examination or re-examination for a certificate as first mate is only 10s. when, as is usually the case, the candidate has already obtained a certificate as second mate. In view of the fact that the fees at present charged do not cover the examination expenses I do not see my way to meet the suggestion made by my hon. friend, which would have the effect of encouraging candidates to present themselves insufficiently prepared.