HC Deb 04 March 1959 vol 601 cc421-3
10. Vice-Admiral Hughes

Hallett asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty which branches of the Royal Navy offer special openings to boys who have obtained one or two General Certificates of Education at Ordinary Level and leave a secondary modern school at 16 years of age plus.

Mr. Orr-Ewing

The artificer branches, which include the categories of engine room, ordnance, electrical, aircraft and shipwright artificer. Boys under 17, with a General Certificate of Education at Ordinary level in mathematics and a science subject, or its equivalent in Scotland and Northern Ireland, are exempt from the Admiralty educational examination for entry as artificer apprentice.

Vice-Admiral Hughes Hallett

Could not the great opening for boys of this educational standard in the artificer classes be more widely publicised, and could not consideration be given to exempting boys who have the General Certificate of Education from the necessity of passing the educational test for petty officer, after joining?

Mr. Orr-Ewing

On publicity, I hope that my hon. and gallant Friend has received some publicity for his Question. I hope to deal with the subject in my Estimates speech to give the matter more publicity. It is true that we want more artificers in the Navy, and the more publicity we can get on the matter the better. I should like notice of the second part of my hon. and gallant Friend's question.

11. Vice-Admiral Hughes Hallett

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what special openings there are in the Royal Navy for young men who have obtained a diploma at a technical college but are below graduate standard.

Mr. Orr-Ewing

Men holding diplomas which are recognised as approaching degree standard may be considered for short-service commissions in the Instructor Branch. Those obtaining a suitable higher national diploma after full-time study at a technical college may be considered for entry to commissions in the supplementary list as electrical specialists. Both offer the opportunity of obtaining a permanent commission.

Vice-Admiral Hughes Hallett

Could not rather more use be made now of this supplementary list of officers, as was originally recommended? Would not my hon. Friend agree that young men with this qualification from technical colleges are ideal material for this list?

Mr. Orr-Ewing

My noble Friend and myself will certainly consider the first point. I thoroughly agree with my hon. and gallant Friend's second point.

Mr. Steele

Is it not the case that the Navy is raising the standard of qualification for entry into some of the colleges?

Mr. Orr-Ewing

That subject does not arise under this Question. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman has the thought of Dartmouth in his mind. My noble Friend said in his Explanatory Statement that we were contemplating raising the standard of entry to Dartmouth.