§ 26. Mr. Cormackasked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he is satisfied that enough young men are volunteering for training as officers in the Merchant Navy ; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Clinton DavisNo, Sir. As in other maritime countries, there has been a shortage of suitably qualified Merchant Navy officers for some years. The industry is at present engaged in a recruitment campaign which is having some success.
§ Mr. CormackI thank the hon. Gentleman for that reply, but does he not agree that this is a serious state of affairs? Is 19 it not regrettable and also surprising that at a time like this HMS "Conway", which for 100 years has trained officers for the Merchant Navy, should be under threat of death? I appreciate that the Minister may not be able to give a full answer this afternoon, but will he look at this matter carefully within the next few weeks?
§ Mr. DavisIt is true that the shortage of young men to train as officers is a matter of concern. The British Shipping Federation and other interested bodies are taking this properly into account. As I said in my answer, this is not a matter which affects this nation alone; it is a worldwide problem. HMS "Conway" recently provided only 20 cadets a year for the Merchant Navy. Training in the Merchant Navy can now be provided more readily elsewhere. Questions about the closure of HMS "Conway" are in any event for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science.