§ Mr. Parkerasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will state the number of engine-room artificers who are qualified educationally, professionally, and recommended for commissioned rank as sub-lieutenant (E); the number who will appear or have appeared before this year's selection boards; where these boards have sat or will sit; and the number of commissions to be awarded to artificers this year?
Mr. CooperThere are at present 15 artificers who have passed the necessary examination and are within the age limit for selection for commissioned rank. Fleet Selection Boards will sit in time for recommended candidates to arrive in England about the end of May. The boards will be convened by each commander-in-chief in whose command candidates are recommended. Information is not yet available as to the number of candidates recommended to appear before these boards. The number of commissions will depend on the number of candidates recommended by the final selection board.