§ Sir T. BRAMSDONasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the number of naval ratings at Portsmouth eligible to undertake the vocational training provided at the port, and the number of ratings that are actually under instruction; and what steps are taken to assist men who are unable to take these courses, while desiring to do so, because of the exigencies of the Service and the inability of the Admiralty administration to provide reliefs?
§ Mr. HODGESIt is not possible to give a definite reply to the first part of the question. No rating has an absolute right to vocational training. The Admiralty Order on the subject is designed to employ the limited funds available to the best advantage of the men of the lower deck. The matter will be more clear to the hon. Member if he will peruse the Admiralty Fleet Order on the subject, of which I will send him a copy. The number of ratings actually under vocational training at Portsmouth is 65. No steps are taken to assist men who are unable to take advantage of the facilities provided by the Fleet Order.