§ 4. Sir R. THOMASasked the President of the Board of Trade how many junior engineers sat for their examinations for Board of Trade certificates during 1927; and how many were successful?
Sir P. CUNLIFF-LISTER1,342 candidates sat for examination for Board of Trade certificates as second engineer in 1927, and of this a timber 818 were successful in obtaining certificates at a first or subsequent attempt.
§ Sir R. THOMASIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that these Regulations ate too severe?
Sir P. CLINUFFE-LISTERNo, Sir, I should be very sorry to agree to that proposition. I think the standard in the British mercantile marine is high, and is rightly high, and that, it is being maintained wthout difficulty.
§ Sir R. THOMASIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that a scarcity of engineers for the mercantile marine is becoming very apparent?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERNo, Sir, I should be sorry to accede to that statement either. I really do not think that we should improve either the service or the men who get into the service, if we lowered the present standard—a standard with which this great service undoubtedly does comply without any great difficulty.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODIs there any scarcity of engineers?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI do not think so, but I should like to have notice of that question. I have not heard of any.
§ Mr. KELLYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware of the number of sea-going engineers who are at present unemployed?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI do not know the precise number, but the hon. Member's question bears out what I say, namely, that we are able to maintain our high standard in this service.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODis there at the moment any dearth of engineers sitting' for their certificates?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERNo, I think it is obvious there is not, because there were 1,342 candidates.
§ Sir R. THOMASis the right hon. Gentleman not aware that in most ports in the British Isles there is a great scarcity of lust-class marine engineers?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERBut we should not get first-class engineers by lowering the standard of the examination.
§ Mr. MACLEANDoes the right hon. Gentleman not see that this question relates, not to first-class engineers, but to junior engineers?
§ Mr. KIRKWOODIt is because the shipowners do not pay the engineers.