§ MR. SUMMERBELL (Sunderland)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the steamer "Moorfield" engaged a crew at the port of Cardiff on the 4th June, 1907; whether he is aware that on the previous voyage the "Moorfield" had as deck hands six able seamen and one ordinary seaman; whether he is aware that on the present voyage the number of able seamen has been reduced to five; and whether the superintendent at Cardiff reported this case to the Board of Trade surveyor that it might be ascertained as to whether the vessel was seaworthy with regard to the manning.
§ MR. LLOYD-GEORGEThe facts are as stated by the hon. Member, but on the previous voyage three out of the six A.B.'s did not produce proof of their title to that rating. It was not necessary to refer the present case to the surveyors with regard to under manning, as the minimum requirements as to manning were complied with.