§ Sir HENRY CRAIKasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether it would be possible to extend to the Navy generally the system of technical training which his explanatory statement (page 12) shows to be productive of excellent results in the case of the Royal Marines as a means of enabling the men to obtain satisfactory employment after leaving the Service?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)It is not contemplated that the Admiralty shall take any direct steps in this direction, such schemes being matters rather for voluntary effort. The Admiralty view with satisfaction the steps that have already been taken on these lines at Eastney.
§ Sir HENRY CRAIKIs it not the fact that the steps taken have been promoted by the Admiralty, and cannot they see their way to extending it?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThey have not been promoted by the Admiralty, but, as a matter of fact, we have made a very small Grant.
§ Sir H. CRAIKIs it not the case that the First Lord of the Admiralty, in a clear statement in his Memorandum, claimed credit for this scheme?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI think the attitude taken up by the Admiralty has been that we shall watch its progress with very careful attention.
§ Mr. ARTHUR LEEIs it not the case that the Admiralty have made a Grant out of the Works Vote for this purpose, and is it not possible to extend the same consideration to other branches of the Service?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAWe have, as I said, made a small Grant. As to other branches we must consider each case on its merits. But this is a matter which we look upon as rather one for voluntary effort.
§ Sir H. CRAIKAs to voluntary support—
§ Mr. SPEAKERI think notice should be given of further questions.