§ 22. Mr. R. YOUNGasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether, seeing that an Admiralty weekly order was recently issued stating that vacancies for supervisors of machinery in the Fleet Fuelling Service would shortly arise, that those selected must be pensioner engine-room artificers, and would be borne in the general service party, and rated and paid as first-class engineers, he will say whether such positions have previously been filled by engine-room artificers; whether such an appointment has been filled at the Nore; whether the person appointed has passed an examination as a first-class engineer; and whether the said appointment was filled before the order was issued, and on whose authority?
§ Mr. AMERYThe position of Supervisor of Machinery in the Fleet Fuelling Service has previously been filled by pensioner engine-room artificers, and such an appointment has been recently filled at Sheerness. The person appointed was rated first-class engineer in the Fleet Fuelling Service in 1904, under the regulations then existing, but prior to present regulations, which were not issued until 1915, and were to the effect that all future candidates would be required to pass an examination. The man in question satisfied the local engineering authorities as to his fitness for the position in the same manner as the engineers of all other yard craft. The appointment was not filled before the letter announcing the vacancy and calling for volunteers was issued.