THE DUKE OE MANCHESTERIn the absence of my noble friend Lord Muskerry I beg to put the Question standing in his name, viz:—" To ask His Majesty's Government who was the successful candidate for the recent Board of Trade examinership at Liverpool; what was his age; his total service in merchant ships; for how long was he acting in the capacities of master and chief officer in the Merchant Service; and whether His Majesty's Government exercise supervision in such matters, so that the candidates for Board of Trade certificates shall be examined by thoroughly qualified examiners having proper experience at sea in the highest capacities."
LORD WOLVERTONThe name of the successful candidate for the post of third examiner of masters and mates at Liverpool is, I am informed, Lieut. Joseph Douglas Keatinge, R.N.R., and he is nearly 29 years of age. His total service in merchant ships extends over a period of seven years and four months, and he has acted in the capacity of chief officer for one year and ten months. He also served for nearly three years as cadet on the training ship "Conway," and two years and ten months as sub lieutenant, acting lieutenant, and lieutenant in the Royal Navy. He has had no service as master, but has held a Board of Trade extra master's certificate of competency—an honours certificate, and the highest certificate that the Board of Trade has the power to confer — since January, 1897. Under the provisions of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, the appointment of examiners of masters and mates rests with the local Marine Boards 192 at the ports where the vacancies occur, but no examiner can be appointed unless he holds a certificate of qualification granted by the Board of Trade, and candidates have to satisfy the Board of Trade and the Civil Service Commissioners as regards their age, health, character, and fitness for the appointment. Lieutenant Keatinge passed the usual examination in technical subjects to the satisfaction of the Board, showing that he was fully qualified to examine candidates for master's and mate's certificates, including the extra master's certificates.
§ House adjourned at five minutes past Seven o'clock to Monday next, at a quarter before Eleven o'clock.