§ Sir R. Rankinasked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many merchant navy officers took advantage during 1937 of the facilities for training in gunnery and naval co-operation other than through their service in the Royal Naval Reserve or the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve; and whether it is proposed to extend these facilities during 1938?
874W
§ Mr. ShakespeareUp to the 31st December last, the Merchant Navy Defence courses had been attended by 1,857 officers, of whom 1,488 had completed the course of instruction. Since the courses were started on 30th August last, certain sessions of the lectures have been thrown open to additional classes of mercantile marine officers, and the distance in respect of which officers attending the courses may receive travelling expenses has been considerably increased. Further extensions of the scheme are under consideration.