§ COLONEL DENNY (Kilmarnock Burghs)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether he can state the annual average number of masters and seamen killed and drowned at sea during the last ten years from registered steam and sailing trading vessels owned in the United Kingdom, and also the annual average number killed and drowned per thousand of men employed, including Lascars, but excluding yachtsmen, fishermen, and boy boatmen in both cases; and (2) will he also state whether the life loss has increased in proportion to the increased work done by British vessels during the same period?
§ MR. RITCHIEThe annual average number of masters and seamen, including Lascars, but excluding yachtsmen, fishermen, and boatmen, killed and drowned during the last ten years whilst under articles of agreement for service at sea in steam trading vessels, registered in the United Kingdom, was 876, of whom 472 lost their lives by wrecks and casualties, and 404 by other accidents; and in sailing trading vessels 998, of whom 629 lost their lives by wrecks and casualties, and 369 by other accidents. The annual average number killed and drowned per 1301 thousand employed was in steamers 6.028, of whom 3.248 were lost by wrecks and casualties, and 2.780 by other accidents; and in sailing vessels 15.173, of whom 9.564 were lost by wrecks and casualties, and 5.609 by other accidents. The last paragraph involves a question of opinion as to the amount of work done, and, therefore, I am not able to answer it.
§ COLONEL DENNYArising out of this answer, may I assume that a statement made on January 25th, by the hon. Member for Middlesbrough that 93 in every 1,000 were killed or drowned is totally inaccurate? ["Hear, hear."]
§ [No answer was given.]
§ MR. J. HAVELOCK WILSON (Middlesbrough)was about to ask a Question as to the number of men who had died on shore from injuries received on board, when
§ MR. SPEAKERinterposed, directing that notice should be given of the Question.