§ Mr. CROOKSasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether his attention has been called to the fact that trade-lads at the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, who have passed successfully the A.M.I.C.E. examination and the Whitworth exhibition are not receiving consideration with regard to managerial posts, and men with less qualifications appointed, and no single lad of our own training given an opportunity of showing his capacity, and that 80 per cent. of the lads leave every year owing to lack of opportunity to get on at the Royal Arsenal; and whether he proposes to take any steps in the matter?
§ Mr. H. BAKERAll trade lads and workshop students receive full consideration in connection with vacancies for which they may possibly be eligible, and over 43 per cent. of the positions of principal foreman 1371W and above are at present filled by persons who originally entered as trade lads or lads. Men of less qualifications than the eligible lads have in no case been appointed to fill any vacancies. Of the trade lads entered since 1904, only 20 per cent. have voluntarily left. Some of these have obtained appointments under the India Office or commissions as inspectors of ordnance machinery, whilst others are continuing their studies as holders of Whitworth scholarships or scholarships at the Imperial College of Science and Technology.