§ 19. Sir Robert Youngasked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of engine-room artificers who appeared before the Fleet selection boards and the final selection board for sub-lieutenant (E), and the numbers awarded commissions in the years 1933 to 1936, respectively?
§ Sir S. HoareI would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Romford (Mr. Parker) on 9th December, 1936.
§ 20. Sir R. Youngasked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of engine-room artificers who passed the education test for sub-lieutenant (E) in the years 1933, 1934, 1935 and 1936, respectively, and the number who are now qualified educationally; also the number who passed the professional test in those years and the number who are now qualified professionally?
§ Sir S. HoareThe professional and educational tests for these officers are combined in one examination. The numbers of engine-room artificers who passed the examination in question in the years 1933, 1934, 1935 and 1936 were 21, 6, 6 and II, respectively. Of this total of 44, 13 have been promoted to commissioned or warrant rank and 17 are now over age for promotion to commissioned rank. At the present time, therefore, there are 14 engine-room artificers who are qualified educationally and professionally and who are consequently eligible for recommendation to a selection committee if and when they have had sufficient experience and provided that they are considered suitable in other respects.