§ Mr. Parkerasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will state the ages, on the date of their promotion to acting sub-lieutenant, of the 13 ratings commissioned on 1st September, 1937; the certificates obtained in their various examinations; the accelerated promotion obtained; the dates they are due for promotion to lieutenant; and their ages on that date?
§ Mr. ShakespeareThe information is as follows:
§ Mr. ShakespeareI have ascertained from my right hon. Friend, the President of the Board of Trade, that the present number of officers and men in the Mercantile Marine between the ages of 20 and 21 is estimated to be between 2,500 and 3,000. I hope that it will be possible to arrange for almost all of these officers and men to perform their training in the Royal Naval Special Reserve if they express a preference for naval training.