asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty why chief stokers of the Portsmouth Port division in their last year's service are not allowed to take vocational training courses; whether the reply, "cannot be spared at present," generally given to these ratings, is correct; and, if so, how it is proposed to remedy this state of affairs?

The Admiralty Fleet Order promulgating the scheme for affording vocational training facilities to the men of the lower deck distinctly states that none of these facilities should interfere with drafting arrangements. With regard to the third part of the question, the scheme is designed to utilise the limited funds available in the most advantageous manner, but no rating has an absolute right to vocational training, and it is not proposed to alter the arrangements at the present time.

Would the Admiralty issue an order to the effect that these men shall be given this chance?

That is already done. It has been already conveyed to the men that this opportunity is given to them.