asked the Minister for Transport whether an extra master's certificate has been stipulated in respect of the appointment to the position of nautical surveyor and examiner of masters and mates at present being advertised by his Department; if not, (i) whether examinations for the ships master's certificate which are set and marked here will continue to be recognised on a mutual basis by the British Department of Trade; (ii) if he has received assurances as to the continuation of such recognition; and (iii) when he expects the practice of importing examination papers for the ships master's certificate from Britain will end.
Written Answers. - Certification of Ship's Officers.
419.
An extra Master's certificate has not been stipulated as a necessary qualification for the position of nautical surveyor and examiner of masters and mates.
Certificates issued as a result of examinations for ships' masters set and marked in the state will continue as heretofore to be recognised on a mutual basis by the British Department of Trade.
The arrangement made for the provision and marking of examination papers for certificates of competency for ships' masters and other ships' officers is a temporary arrangement which it is intended to terminate when suitable alternative provisions can be made. It is not possible at this stage to indicate when this can be done.