§ 2. Mr. WESTWOODasked the President of the Board of Trade in view of the proposed reduction of examination centres for masters and mates in Scotland and the elimination of Leith from the number of existing examination centres, if he has received the protest of the Midlothian County Council against any reduction; and, if so, what further action does he propose in view of such protest?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by the Parliamentary Secretary yesterday to the hon. and gallant Member for North-West Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy), a copy of which I am sending him.
§ Mr. WESTWOODI am sorry that I did not hear the reply which was given yesterday. Am I to understand that the Board of Trade are withdrawing the proposal for limiting the number of examination centres?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI will read the answer which was given yesterday by the Parliamentary Secretary:
In order to give effect to the recommendations of the Committee on the Examinations of Masters and Mates, it has been decided that in future all papers shall be set and corrected at headquarters; but, in order to avoid any hardship to candidates, it has been decided to retain the present places of examination and the present frequency of examinations, subject of course to the right to review should circumstances change in the future."—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 25th March, 1929; cols. 2069–70, Vol. 226.]
§ Mr. WESTWOODThank you.