§ Mr. FALLEI beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether it is the case that apprentice shipwrights at Devonport and Chatham are being given a year in which to make up their minds whether they will accept the new scheme for shipwrights or remain under the old, and whether the apprentices at Portsmouth are required to decide by to-morrow; and if he will grant the same concession to Portsmouth as to Devonport and Chatham?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAAll the boy shipwrights were required to make their choice between the old and new systems last April, but any boy shipwright then serving who wishes to change the decision which he has notified in the first instance, will be allowed to do so if he applies in writing before he completes one year's service at sea as naval shipwright. Instructions were given for any boy shipwrights under training to be notified accordingly. I can 219 assure the hon. Member that boys at Portsmouth will be treated precisely as boys at Devonport and Chatham.