§ Lord CHARLES BERESFORDasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will inform the House as to the number of engineer officers who will be required when the first batch of sub-lieutenants have completed their course of training under the new scheme; the number of marine officers who will be required for similar duties; whether the requisite number have volunteered for duty under these two departments; if so, what number of these junior officers have been ordered to fill the vacancies required; and. whether it is a fact that if the Admiralty have to nominate sub-lieutenants for duty in the engine-room department it will be against the inclination of the officers se nominated?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe first officers entered under the new scheme of entry and training will complete their examinations for the rank of lieutenant next month, and from that date a period of at least two years will elapse before officers-selected will begin to specialise in engine-room duties. It is not possible at the present time to say with precision what the requirements may be two or three years hence. The number of officers required for duty with the Royal Marines cannot at present be stated. Officers have not yet been called upon to volunteer for duty in the two departments. A further circular in connection with the scheme will shortly be published.