92. Mr. Loǵan asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that some seamen, after serving temporarily in the R.N., are now being refused a place in the shipping pool; and why he is training men and .refusing experienced men.
§ Mr. G. R. Strauss:Former members of the Merchant Navy who served in the Royal Navy during the war and who have the right of re-instatement in the Merchant Navy under the Re-instatement in Civil Employment Act, 1944, are entered in the Merchant Navy reserve pool on their release from Naval service if they so desire. Sympathetic consideration is given to applications from other ex-members of the Royal Navy for entry into the reserve pool, who are qualified to serve in merchant ships in capacities for which there are vacancies. Training for the Merchant Navy is restricted to boys between 16 and 108W 17 years of age for service as junior deck end catering rating and to a limited number of adults who are required for employnent as fireman/trimmer in coal burning ships and as cooks.