HC Deb 31 May 1892 vol 5 cc411-2

COMMITTEE.

Considered in Committee.

(In the Committee).

Clause 3.

MR. LAWRENCE (Liverpool, Abercromby)

The clause I have to propose is the result of a compromise arrived at between shipowners and the promoters of the Bill. Shipowners have, I think, met the promoters very fairly in this matter. The shipowning interest has been the subject of much legislation in recent years, and under the present law sailors having a grievance as to the amount or quality of the food supplied have a remedy in their hands. They may apply to a British Consul or to the captain of any of Her Majesty's vessels, and if the complaint is well founded then the fact is entered in the log. Under the circumstances I do not know that there was any occasion for the Bill, but seeing that it is before the House we have met the promoters in a spirit of compromise, of which this clause is the result.

Amendment proposed, In page 1, line 19, to leave out after "Horn," to "satisfaction," in line 26, and insert "the prescribed officer shall in the prescribed manner, and before shipment whenever practicable, inspect the barrels of beef and pork, preserved meat and vegetables in tins, and the casks of flour or biscuits intended for the use of the crews of such ships, and shall in the prescribed manner, if satisfied that they are fit for such use, certify the same accordingly. The prescribed officer may at any time proceed on board a ship to ascertain whether the stores and water provided have been duly inspected or, if not, whether they are of a quality fit for the use of the crew of such ship. If he finds the same not to have been inspected, and deficient in quality, he shall detain the ship until such defects are remedied to his satisfaction."—(Mr. Lawrence.)

Amendment agreed to.

Clause, as amended, added to the Bill.

Clauses 4 and 5 agreed to.

New Clause— Rules to be laid before Parliament. All rules made under this Act shall be laid before Parliament within three weeks after they are made, if Parliament be then sitting, and if Parliament be not then sitting, within three weeks after the beginning of the then next meeting of Parliament, and shall not come into operation until they have lain for forty days before both Houses of Parliament during the Session of Parliament,"—(Mr. William H. Cross,) —brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill.

Bill reported; as amended, to be considered To-morrow.