§ Sir B. FALLEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many candidates who took the examination for the rating of supply assistant last September qualified and how many were accepted; the cost of advertising the examination to be held in March in the various local and London papers; the number of vacancies to be filled for the rating of supply assistant; why examinations are being held at the-three home ports; and what is the cost involved?
§ Mr. AMMONNinety-seven candidates qualified for supply probationer at the September examination, and 33 were entered. The cost of advertising the examination to be held in March has been £29 7s. The number of vacancies to be filled in March is 14. The three home ports and Rosyth where examinations are held are centres not inconvenient to the candidates and are certainly the most convenient and economical places from the point of view of the Crown. The actual expense of holding the examinations consists of the printing of papers, supply of stationery, etc., but I am afraid that I am not in a position to give an exact estimate.