HC Deb 20 May 1895 vol 33 cc1593-4
MR. J. HAVELOCK WILSON (Middlesbrough)

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the number of Lascar sailors and firemen employed as the crew of the Peninsular and Oriental steamship Himalaya; whether he can state how many of those men live in the forecastles allotted to their use; how many of such forecastles are certified for the accommodation of men in accordance with the provisions of the Merchant Shipping Act; and whether he can also state if the section of the Act has been complied with which provides that at the entrance to each forecastle there shall be carved or painted in a prominent place on the beams or otherwise the certified number which each forecastle shall accommodate?

MR. BRYCE

I am informed that the Peninsular and Oriental steamship Himalaya carries 154 Lascars, namely, 53 deck hands and 101 firemen and trimmers. These men are all berthed in the poop, which is certified for the accommodation of 123 seamen, in accordance with the provisions of the Merchant Shipping Act. They were engaged in India under the provisions of the Indian Act, which requires less accommodation for seamen than the British Act. In certifying for tonnage in cases of this kind, the Board of Trade surveyors disallow the deduction made from the gross tonnage in respect of crew space, the result of which is that the vessel has to pay more for light and harbour dues. The number for which the poop is certified is carved in a prominent place on the beam just within the entrance to the poop.

MR. J. HAVELOCK WILSON

asked whether all the ships in the Port of London carrying Lascar crews were complying with the provisions of the Merchant Shipping Act.

MR. BRYCE

replied that he could not say without notice.

MR. J. HAVELOCK WILSON

asked whether there was a sufficient number of Board of Trade surveyors to see that the Act was complied with upon all ships at the different ports of the United Kingdom, and, if not, whether he would see that more inspectors were appointed?

MR. BRYCE

We have no reason to think the number of surveyors is insufficient.

MR. J. HAVELOCK WILSON

gave notice that at the end of Questions he would move the adjournment of the House to call attention to the subject.