23. Mr. L'ESTRANGE MALONEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, before the next meeting of the Lower Deck Welfare Committee, he will arrange for the representatives of the different branches to be elected by all the depots from whichever depot the men require, and not as hitherto from the depot nominated by the Admiralty, which places the men under serious disadvantages and limitations in the choice of their representative?
§ Sir J. CRAIGThe orders for summoning the next Welfare Committee have already been issued, and it is not proposed to make any change at the present time. The men will have an opportunity of putting forward any suggestions bearing on the question at the next meeting, if they so wish. The present system, however, is a very fair one.