§ 11. Mr. HORE-BELISHAasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, since the examinations passed by the apprentices in His Majesty's dockyards do not exempt them from London matriculation, he can see his way to amend the facilities for their further education in order that they may be in a position to qualify for matriculation, particularly as apprentices no longer have any prospect of security of employment in the dockyards, and the further education, if so provided, and such qualification if attained would give them an alternative chance in life?
§ Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAMTo supplement the Dockyard School curriculum with non-vocational education would involve the release of apprentices for longer hours in school and an increase in the teaching staff. For financial reasons alone such changes cannot be entertained.
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAWill not the Admiralty reconsider this matter, in view of the serious situation which now arises, and give these boys an opportunity of learning something which will be useful to them in other spheres?
§ Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAMWe teach them what is useful for apprentices in dockyards, and not what is required to pass the London matriculation.
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that it is only a question of teaching them one or two extra subjects?
§ 12. Mr. HORE-BELISHAasked the First Lord of the Admiralty why a distinction is made in granting leave with pay to industrial civil servants and not to dockyard men?
§ Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAMThere is no such distinction.