HC Deb 17 February 1938 vol 331 cc2109-10W
Mr. Parker

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will give the estimated number of naval cadets to be entered at Dartmouth College at 13½ years, of executive special-entry cadets from public schools at 17 to 18 years, and of commissions to be granted to seamen ratings, also the number of paymaster cadets to be entered; and whether it is intended to appeal for more civilians in the Reserves to enter as accountant officers this year?

Mr. Shakespeare

It is anticipated that the following numbers of cadets will be entered during the period 1st January to 31st December, 1938:

Into Royal Naval College, Dartmouth 135
Special entry from public schools, etc., ages 17–18 years, 8 months:
Executive 100
Paymaster 40

The number of commissions to be granted to candidates from the lower deck depends upon the number of suitable candidates. In this connection I would remind the hon. Member that a special course of instruction was introduced last year for candidates in the seaman branch, and if this innovation is successful the number of promotions should be higher than has normally been the case in recent years.

The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.