§ Ms. WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish a projection of(a) the number of officer cadets and (b) ratings whom he expects to commence training in each year up to the year 2000.
§ Mr. McLoughlinThere are some indications that the number of officer cadets commencing training each year is stabilising, but it is too early to predict what the level of recruitment will be each year up to the year 2000. However, the Department welcomes the commitment given by industry in the joint working party report "British Shipping: Challenges and Opportunities" to recruit at least the minimum number of trainees needed to fill its projected requirements for United Kingdom nationals, and will keep the numbers recruited under review.