HC Deb 28 April 1936 vol 311 c723
44. Mr. G. A. MORRISON

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that candidates for Board of Trade certificates as master and mate and engineer in the Mercantile Marine who are resident in the north-east of Scotland are obliged to incur considerable expense in travelling to Glasgow and maintaining themselves there during the examinations; and whether, in view of the hardship to the candidates, he will now consider restoring the arrangement, discontinued in September, 1932, as an economy measures, whereby an official went to Aberdeen to conduct these examinations?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

If there are any new factors in the problem I will, of course, consider them, but I am not at present aware of any change in conditions which would justify the withdrawal of the decision arrived at in 1932 on grounds of economy and efficiency.

Mr. MORRISON

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that young men preparing for these examinations are often out of employment for the time? They come home from sea to undergo a course of study. Does he not agree that even £5 is a considerable sum for a young man in that position?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

Yes, Sir, and that point has been fully considered by the Department concerned.

Miss HORSBRUGH

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that the result of the arrangements made in 1932 have been as bad as many of us then told the right hon. Gentleman we feared that they would be?