§ Sir R. Youngasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will state the number of engineering cadets entered at Dartmouth College and by the special entry schemes last year and the number of apprentices promoted to cadet (E) and artificers to sub-lieutenant (E); the number of cadets entered under each scheme and of apprentices and artificers so far promoted in 1938; and the further entries and promotions to be made this year?
Mr. CooperNo cadets are entered into the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, specifically for engineering duties, but cadets from the college may volunteer for such duties on passing out from the training cruiser. The number who so volunteered and were selected for engineering in 1937 was five, and this year four. The number of special entry cadets appointed to the engineer branch in 1937 was 50 and up to the present 41 have been appointed this year. In 1937 three artificer apprentices were promoted to cadet (E); two were promoted in January, 1938, and two more have recently been selected for this promotion. For the number of artificers promoted to acting sub-lieutenant (E) in 1937 I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 23rd February last. Seven have been promoted this year. The only further appointments to be made this year in the above-mentioned categories will be from the June special entry examination, from which it is anticipated 20 cadets (E) will be entered.