asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware of the difficulty that exists in obtaining shipwrights for the Royal dockyards; and whether he will reconsider the decision given on behalf of the Admiralty against the suggestion to have two examinations annually for the admission of the apprentices?

The Admiralty are fully aware of the present great activity in the shipbuilding industry, and of the consequent difficulty in obtaining shipwrights already in employment in other districts for service in His Majesty's dockyards. It is not, however, at present considered that there would be any advantage in reintroducing the practice of having two examinations a year for the entry of apprentices.