§ Sir B. FALLEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that after newly-entered assistant cooks have finished their training at the depot school of cookery they are kept in depot for a considerable time with consequent loss of efficiency; and whether arrangements can be made for these men to be sent afloat to capital ships immediately after training in order that they may gain practical experience in the duties in which they have been instructed?
Mr. DAVIDSONMen of all branches are drafted to sea as necessary to meet the requirements of the Service. It would not be practicable to send assistant cooks to any particular class of ship; while waiting draft in the barracks they are actively employed on the duties of their vocation and suffer no loss of efficiency in consequence.