asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether the difficulty admitted in July last in getting men for the Royal Navy to serve as engine-room artificers has been overcome; and, if so, how many of the men examined at Chatham, Devon-port and Plymouth were found suitable for the work?

Mr. ALEXANDER:

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The number of men examined and entered after passing the trade test at Chatham, Devonport and Portsmouth—it is assumed the question should have read "Portsmouth" instead of "Plymouth"—for Acting Engine-Room Artificers Fourth Class between 1st August and 15th November, 1930, is 45.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty why, seeing that in the past men applying for services as engine-room artificers in the Royal Navy had to secure 60 per cent. marks in their tests, etc., to qualify, in recent examinations the marks necessary to qualify were 40 per cent. at Chatham and 30 per cent. at Portsmouth; and why the system of marking is not the same at all parts?

Mr. ALEXANDER:

The difference in marking referred to is accounted for by variations in the nature of the test jobs at the ports in question. I wish to state specifically, however, that there has been no lowering of the standard required.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what pension is paid to engine-room artificers and chief engine-room artificers on completion of 22 years' service; and whether pension is counted to men invalided four, six, or eight months after any completed year which falls short of the full pensionable term of service?

Mr. ALEXANDER:

The rates of pension vary according to circumstances, but the present average is £98 a year for an engine-room artificer and £99 a year for a chief engine-room artificer. In regard to the latter part of the question, the constituent elements of a pension, i.e., basic service rate and rank additions are allowed on complete years of service only.

In the event of a man being invalided with 10 months to his credit, is the whole of that period taken into consideration or is it absolutely lost to the man in question?

Mr. ALEXANDER:

It must be taken upon the actual completed year, because we must work out our scheme on an actuarial basis.

Viscountess ASTOR:

Another promise gone west.