§ MR. WILLIAM REDMONDI beg to ask the President of the Board of 1062 Trade whether foreign merchant officers' certificates are accepted as the same as British certificates for officers in British ships.
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURNo, Sir; certificates required under the Merchant Shipping Act to be held by officers of British ships must, in all cases, be British certificates.
§ MR. WILLIAM REDMONDCan the right hon. Gentleman give me any information as to the number of certificated officers ordinarily carried on ships of various tonnages?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOUREvery British foreign-going merchant ship and every passenger ship of 100 tons and over is bound to carry at least one certificated officer besides the master.
§ MR. WILLIAM REDMONDCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether large vessels—ships of over 2,000 tons—are not required to carry more than one mate with the captain?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURThere is no legal requirement of that kind. The legal requirements are set forth in Section 92 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894.