§ 44. Mr. LYNCHasked the Home Secretary how many of those rejected for colour blindness, as indicated in the last Report, failed with the lantern but passed the wool test, and vice versa; and whether he will consider the advisability of giving this information in the Reports in future?
§ Mr. BURNSMy right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question, which, I assume, refers to the sight tests used in the mercantile marine. One hun- 1224 dred and thirty-eight candidates passed the wool test and failed in the lantern test. Of these, twenty-four subsequently passed on appeal, and thus 114 finally failed. One hundred and one candidates passed the wool test, and in the lantern test were "referred" for further examination. At the latter examination seventy-six passed and twenty-five failed. No candidates failed in the wool test and passed in the lantern test. Three candidates were "referred" in the wool test and passed the lantern test, all three subsequently passing a special examination. The number of candidates who pass, fail, or are "referred" in the lantern and wool tests, respectively, will be given in the next Return as suggested.
NOTE.—"Referred" means that the candidate was not definitely passed or rejected, but was referred to London for a special examination.
§ Mr. LYNCHWill the right hon. Gentleman bring his scientific spirit to bear on this question so that the wool test may be altogether eliminated?
§ Mr. BURNSThe hon. Gentleman is rather belated in his suggestion. The old form of wool test has been abandoned. I had the pleasure of taking the objectors to, and critics of, the wool test, and the critics of the lantern test down to Shoe-buryness, and, after a pleasant night on the marshes, the objectors Were silenced and the critics satisfied.