§ 39. Mr. PETOasked if he will state why, in respect to the constitution of the Derelicts Committee, the request for representation upon it of the Imperial Merchant Service Guild, which numbers some 15,000 certificated captains and officers of the merchant service and is exclusively confined to members of the nautical profession, has not been granted; and whether, seeing that this organisation has for long agitated upon the dangers of floating derelicts, both on the high seas and round our coasts, he will give further consideration to the desirability of all parties interested being properly represented on the committee, in order to avoid any possible suggestion that those most materially concerned were denied their right to representation through the medium of their recognized organisation?
Mr. BUXTONI invited the Imperial Merchant Service Guild and the Mercantile Marine Service Association, the two principal organisations representing ships' masters and officers, to join in nominating a representative on this Committee. The Mercantile Marine Service Association expressed their willingness to confer with the guild as to a joint representative, but the guild declined the invitation. There is only room for one representative of masters and officers on the Committee, and I have accordingly appointed Captain Mackay, the president of the Mercantile Marine Service Association, to act in this capacity.
§ 40. Mr. PETOasked whether, in respect to the composition of the Derelicts Committee, Mr. J. Havelock Wilson, one of the members appointed to act, is absent abroad; whether, owing to this fact, his position as a member of the Merchant Shipping Advisory Committee was recently filled by the appointment of a substitute pending his return; and whether the Board of Trade are assured that Mr. J. Havelock Wilson will be able to take an active part in the deliberations of the Derelicts Committee so soon as they begin?
Mr. BUXTONMr. Havelock Wilson is returning to England on Tuesday next, 23rd July, and I have every reason to believe that he will be able to take an active part in the deliberations of the Derelicts Committee.