asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that the interruption in the practice of their trade is causing a large number of young men who have served their apprenticeship to mechanical and electrical engineering not to return to their trade after they have completed their period of National Service; and, in order to prevent their skill being lost to the nation, if he will endeavour to have them absorbed, as far as possible, as artificers in the Royal Navy, so that they can maintain contact with their trade.

I am not aware of the circumstances mentioned by my hon. Friend. All ex-apprentices who can pass the necessary trade test are employed in the artificer branches of the Royal Navy during their National Service.