§ 28. Colonel CLIFTON BROWNasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that there is still considerable uneasiness in the engineering profession, 1410 both naval and civil, as regards the intentions and effect of the recent Fleet Order affecting naval officers (E); if he has been advised that this order will make recruiting for the naval engineer officer branch more difficult; and if he proposes to take any action in the matter in order to alleviate these fears?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANWhatever uneasiness has been felt in the engineering profession as to the recent Fleet Order has, in my opinion, been due to a misapprehension of its effects. When the actual position is understood, I find it difficult to believe that it will have a prejudicial effect on recruiting, and I do not at present contemplate taking any action in the matter.