HC Deb 17 March 1948 vol 448 c2082
36. Captain Marsden

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether, with a view to encouraging navigational knowledge amongst yachtsmen, he will grant proficiency certificates on the same lines as Coastal, Yacht Masters' certificates were previously issued by the Board of Trade.

Mr. Dugdale

The Yacht Master (Coastal) Certificate was instituted in 1938 to determine the suitability of yachtsmen for commissioned rank in the Royal Navy on mobilisation. In view of the large number of officers who had wartime service in the Navy such a test is no longer necessary; neither did the number of applications in 1946 justify its retention. I understand that my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport would be prepared to reinstitute it if the need arose.