§ SIR G. BADEN-POWELLI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the grave import to our shipping industry of any inquiry into the question of the manning of the ships of our Mercantile Marine; whether he will now state definitely the precise scope of the inquiries to be instituted by the proposed Committee on Undermanning; what is to be the constitution of the Committee; whether it is, or is not, his intention to ask Members of Parliament to serve on that Committee: and whether, in such case, the different branches of the shipping industry will be duly represented?
§ * MR. MUNDELLAYes, Sir. We are fully aware of the grave import of the inquiry into the question of the manning of the ships of our Mercantile Marine, and I am glad to be able to state that we have undertaken this inquiry with the assent of all parties interested. The Committee will be appointed to inquire and report whether any amendment of the existing law is necessary in order to secure as regards British ships—(1) The proper manning of such ships; (2) The detention of such ships if proceeding or about to proceed to sea undermanned from ports in the United Kingdom; (3) The punishment of persons sending or taking or being parties to sending or taking such ships to sea undermanned. It will consist of four Members of Parliament:—The hon. Member for Cardiff, Chairman; the right hon. Gentleman the Member for the Ormskirk Division of Lancashire; the hon. Member for West Perth; and the hon. Member for Middlesbrough. Two representatives of the Board of Trade—Sir Digby Murray, baronet, and Mr. Ingram B. Walker, Assistant Secretary of the Marine Department of the Board of Trade. Three representatives of shipowners—Mr. Thomas Scrutton, Mr. G. A. Laws, Mr. Charles Barrie. Two representatives of seamen and firemen—-Mr. T. B. Butcher (Hull) and Mr. Thomas Counorty (Liverpool). One representative of shipmasters—Mr. William Davidson (South Shields). One certificated engineer—Mr. James Orr Sinclair. A barrister of high standing—Mr. F. W. Raikes, Q.C., 787 L L.D. I had hoped to be able to arrange for one representative of the underwriters, but I am at present without the advice enabling me to do so.
§ MR. CAYZER (Barrow-in-Furness)Seeing the great importance of this subject, will the right hon. Gentleman appoint a second representative to represent the shipmasters and officers, and also a second representative to represent the engineers and firemen, both of 'whom shall be practical men who have been at sea? I would further ask whether, as the three shipowners do not represent cargo steamers, the right hon. Gentleman will appoint a shipowner to represent this class of vessel?
§ * MR. MUNDELLAThe hon. Gentleman asks me to largely increase the size of this Committee. There are five shipowners on the Committee, three of them nominated by agreement with the shipowners of London, Liverpool, Glasgow, and elsewhere, and the shipowners themselves are quite content with the shipowners who represent them on the Committee. With respect to the engineers, they are quite content with the certificated engineers nominated by the Engineers' Union. I think the sea officers have also nominated a representative. This is a deliberative Committee of Inquiry, consisting of 15 Members, and it would be impossible to add to that number without making it practically unworkable. All parties are satisfied with the representatives on the Committee.
§ MR. MUNDELLAThe Society of Working Engineers—a Union of 12,000 men in London, Shields, Glasgow, and elsewhere. He is their selection.
§ SIR G. BADEN-POWELLasked if the Committee would receive instructions to deal with the case of other than British ships?
§ MR. MUNDELLAThe Committee have nothing to do with the International aspect, and the Government cannot legislate on the question of manning for other Mercantile Marines than our own. The Committee will inquire and report upon what they consider necessary and desirable should be done.
§ MR. CAYZER asked if the right hon. Gentleman had not received requests for further representation from the Scotch 788 Shipowners' Association, the Mercantile Marine Society of Liverpool, and other Organisations?
§ MR. MUNDELLAAlmost every Society and every class want separate representation; but I think it will be agreed that the Committee is fully representative.