§ Mr. M'GHEEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state, in connection with the scheme for training boys as sailors initiated by the Board of Trade in 1899, the number of boys enrolled each year; the average length of service of each boy; the number who deserted each year; the number who failed to join each year; the amount paid each year to the shipowners on whose ships the boys were employed; what training was given to the boys, and how it was tested; what, finally, became of each boy, and how many of them are still employed at sea; and how long the scheme was in operation, and whether it is now abandoned, and why?
Mr. BUXTONThe number of boys enrolled in each financial year during which the scheme was in operation is shown below. The total amount paid to shipowners under the scheme was just over £21,000. The scheme was in operation from 1st April, 1899, to 31st March, 1905, and the reasons for its being allowed to lapse are shown in paragraphs 7 to 11 of the Report of the "Boy Seamen" Com-1034W mittee of 1907 (Cd. 3722). I am unable to give the other pariculars desired by my hon. Friend—
Financial Year No. of Boys Enrolled. 1899–1900 … … 302 1900–1901 … … 454 1901–1902 … … 691 1902–1903 … … 783 1903–1904 … … 1,065 1904–1905 … … 1,121