§ 16. Sir ROBERT YOUNGasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether it is the intention of the Admiralty to recruit young men of the ages of 19½ to 21 years to serve as fifth class engine-room artificers; what is the reason for this recruitment; and whether this arises from the scarcity of skilled men seeking to join the Navy as engine-room artificers?
Lord STANLEYThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The reason for this recruitment is to meet increasing future requirements due to Fleet expansion and the abnormal wastage to pension now occurring.
§ Sir R. YOUNGAre these to be semiskilled men or those withdrawn from their apprenticeship?
§ Mr. KIRKWOODWill the Noble Lord give the House, and through the House the engineers, an assurance that there will be no attempt to introduce dilution of labour?
§ Mr. KIRKWOODI beg to give notice that, owing to the unsatisfactory reply, I will raise the question on the first available opportunity.