§ Mr. FALLEasked the Secretary to the Admiralty if an extra examination for assistant clerkships, Royal Navy, is to take place in December next, and, if so, will it be made clear to the parents of the competitors and to the competitors themselves that the rates of pay for five and a half years after entry were fixed as long ago as 1863 and have not since been revised, notwithstanding extra expenses and increased qualifications required, with increased expense of preparation; and if he will make it generally known that the prospect of service as assistant paymaster appears likely to cover twenty 2052W years, and not ten years as at present, unless some changes and improvements are made?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and an announcement to that effect has already been made. As regards the second part the rates of pay of accountant officers appear in the regulations for entry, and no necessity is seen for stating when these rates were introduced. There is no intention of adopting the suggestion contained in the third part of the question, as such a state of affairs as that contemplated by the hon. Member will not be permitted to arise.