§ 18. Mr. KELLYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether there has been difficulty in securing sufficient numbers of artificers during the last six months; how many candidates who presented themselves after passing the test for entry have declined to serve in the Navy; and what reason was given by them for so declining?
Mr. ALEXANDERThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. No candidates, after passing the trade test, have refused entry during the last six months.
§ Mr. KELLYCan the right hon. Gentleman say if any difficulty is being found at this moment in securing candidates?
Mr. ALEXANDERThe difficulty has not been in securing candidates, but in securing the right type of men—the type of men we want—from the applications which we receive. I have not confined this answer to the technical qualifications; it extends to medical fitness as well.