§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether it is intended to sot up a committee of inquiry into the mate scheme to investigate the necessity for changes long overdue?
§ Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAMThe Admiralty are naturally fully cognisant of the working of the Mate scheme, and keep the matter under review, but they are not aware of any changes in respect of the scheme which can be said to be long overdue. Certain points in connection with it were brought to notice during the Debates on the Navy Estimates, and such of these as were not dealt with at the time are being duly considered. I cannot, however, as at present advised, see the necessity for the appointment of a special committee of inquiry.