§ 19. Mr. R. YOUNGasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the difficulty in recruiting engineering mechanics as engine-room artificers for His Majesty's Navy, and that in certain cases recruits, after doing a portion of their tests, have refused to enter because of the conditions prevailing in the depots, he will assist such recruiting and take into consideration the need for improving the status and service conditions of this rating to attract to the Service the most highly skilled men?
§ Lieut. - Colonel HEADLAMThe standard required for direct entry engine-room artificers is a high one, but, apart from occasional temporary shortages, we have experienced no material difficulty in obtaining the numbers required. I 1195 cannot agree with the suggestion that conditions at the depots are such as to deter condidates from entering.
§ Mr. YOUNGIs it not the case that young men from the Midlands who undertook these tests were placed in the petty officers mess instead of in the chief petty officers' mess; and is it not a fact that more men are required for Devonport than presented themselves?
§ Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAMI am not able to answer the question at the moment. If the hon. Member has any particular complaints to bring to my notice I shall be glad to go into them.
§ Lieut. - Colonel HEADLAMMost certainly.