§ 47. Mr. WELLOCKasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the training ships "Arethusa" and "War-spite," and the Watts Naval Training School, receive youths for training recommended by unemployment committees; and, if so, whether it is made known to such youths that the training given in these schools prepares men for the Royal Navy rather than the Mercantile Marine?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDI have been asked to reply. Statistics are not available, but I understand that only in a few cases have boys entered these sea schools after receiving advice from juvenile advisory committees. I understand these schools prepare boys for both the Mercantile Marine and the Royal Navy, and I am not aware that there is any bias in favour of one or the other.
§ Mr. WELLOCKCan the right hon. Gentleman say if it is made quite clear to the pupils that these schools chiefly prepare men for the Royal Navy?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDIt is not necessary for me to do what the hon. Member suggests, because I understand it is known that boys trained in these schools can go to either service.
§ Mr. WELLOCKIs not the right hen. Gentleman aware that these particular schools actually send most of their men into the Royal Navy, and, seeing the Navy has other means of procuring recruits, will he see to it that pupils recommended by the unemployment committees are sent to schools which train for the Merchant Service?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDI do not think there is any reason at all for the hon. Member's suggestion. Both Services have every means of getting recruits from these training ships. The boys who go there can at the end of their training go to either Service, and it seems to me that there does not require any further statement.