§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he can now say whether the scheme for improving the technical instruction of apprentices in the civil engineering departments in the Royal Dockyards has been decided upon?
Mr. ALEXANDERIn order to improve the efficiency of future foremen of works and-leading men, it has been decided, as an experimental measure, to allow apprentices in the Superintending Civil Engineer's Department of the three principal home dockyards to receive at the expense of the Admiralty evening instruction during their third and, subject to satisfactory reports, fourth year, at local technical or municipal colleges. Not more than two apprentices at each yard will also be allowed, at the discretion of the local officers, to receive six or 12 months training in the main drawing office.