asked the Minister for Defence (1) if naval service personnel attend AnCO training courses, and if so (a) the number at present attending such courses with details of the courses, (b) the number who have completed such courses since they were established with course details, (2) if he will outline the duties of engine room artificers, with details of their basic educational requirements, and (a) the required number or establishment of such personnel, (b) the actual number of engine room artificers, and (c) the number of trainees.
Written Answers. - Naval Service Personnel.
309.
Naval Service personnel do attend AnCO training courses.
(a) At present there are 30 personnel attending AnCO training courses in the following trades: fitters, 26, electricians, 4; (b) three Naval Service personnel have completed a fitter's course at AnCO training centres to date.
The duties of engine room artificers are the operation, maintenance and repair of all machinery, including diesel engines, generators, pumps, compressors, steering gear, sewage disposal equipment and refrigeration units on board Naval Service vessels.
Engine room artificers are appointed to the Naval Services in three ways, namely, by open competition, from serving naval personnel and from fitters trained in the Army Apprentice School. At the open competition, candidates must have served a recognised apprenticeship in mechanical engineering in approved workshops. Serving naval personnel are required to have an educational standard of the Day Group or Intermediate Certificate before they are selected for attendance at an AnCO course. The educational standard for the award of apprenticeships at the Army Apprentice School is also the Day Group or Intermediate Certificate (a) the present establishment is 72; (b) the present strength is 23; (c) at present there are 36 men in training, 10 of whom are in the Army Apprentice School.