§ Sir CLEMENT KINLOCH-COOKEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention had been called to the fact that there were in the Royal dockyards instances of ex-apprentices who had been on the hired list for fifteen to twenty years; and whether, on the ground of efficiency alone, he would consider if it was possible, when establishment was reopened, that provision be made to meet these eases of long service?
§ Mr. McKENNAYes, Sir, the dockyard regulations provide for preference to be given to men who have served apprenticeships in the dockyards in selecting work-ment to be placed on the established list, but the number of men who may be established is restricted by the number of vacancies.