§ 2. Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYasked the President of the Board of Trade, whether his attention has been called to the present shortage of junior officers in the British mercantile marine; if he is aware that among the reasons put forward for this alleged shortage is the severity of the theoretical examinations for officers' certificates which many practical and experienced seamen find difficult to pass; and whether he will have this matter investigated?
§ Mr. W. R. SMITHI am glad to say that, according to my information, unemployment among officers of the British mercantile marine has diminished during the past few months, but I am not aware that there is any general shortage. The numbers of certificates issued give no ground for thinking that the standard of the Board's examinations is unduly high, and as the whole system was recently investigated by a representative committee whose recommendations have been accepted by the Board I do not think any further investigation is necessary at present.