§ 55. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the difficulty found in obtaining shipwrights in the Royal dockyards, the Admiralty will consider the advisability of taking on a larger number of apprentices than has been the custom in past years; and whether he will consider the advisability of having two examinations and making two entries annually for all trades?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe Admiralty will continue to fix the number of apprentices of all trades to be entered each year with due regard to all the circumstances. The number of shipwright apprentices entered each year has been steadily on the increase since 1906, and the number to be taken on this year is more than double the number in 1906. The system of having two examinations annually was tried some years ago, but was found to be less satisfactory than the present arrangement, and there is no intention of reverting to it.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEThen may I take it that the right hon. Gentleman admits the difficulty mentioned and the desirability of training more shipwrights in the Royal dockyards by means of apprentices?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe number we have taken has been doubled since 1906.
§ 57. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to an Admiralty pamphlet, dated February, 1905, for the information of candidates offering themselves for training in His Majesty's dockyards as naval shipwrights, stating that at the expiration of twelve years' service from the age of eighteen facilities will be given to those who wish it to serve as shipwrights in His Majesty's dockyards, and that the time served from the age of eighteen will count towards superannuation; whether naval shipwrights 1050 entering the Royal dockyards after twelve years' service afloat will be immediately established, or whether they will have to wait their turn with dockyard shipwrights; and whether service in the Royal Fleet Reserve gives to naval shipwrights on entering the dockyard service any preference as regards the receipt of a Greenwich age pension?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe facts stated in the first part of the question are correct. The subject of the second part of the question is now under consideration by the Departmental Committee which is dealing with naval shipwrights. The answer to the third part of the question is in the negative.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman, if I am correct in the statement in the first part of my question, whether that will not make a difference to the establishment of dockyard shipwrights?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI have just told the hon. Member that the statement made in the first part of the question is correct. He obviously did not hear that.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEYes, I did.
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe matter is now under the consideration of the Departmental Committee.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEThat is not an answer.
§ Mr. WILKIEIs there any reason why there should be any preference given to one section of the shipwrights?
§ Dr. MACNAMARANo, except that in this Order which the hon. Member has quoted certain undertakings have been given, and the Departmental Committee is now considering that.