HC Deb 27 January 1913 vol 47 cc960-2
19. Mr. PETO

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now in a position to make a further statement as to what is proposed in the way of increasing the surveying staff of the Board of Trade; and whether he is now making the necessary arrangements whereby such matters as the inspection of boats, their requisite fittings and launching appliances, ships' compasses, charts, nautical and astronomical instruments, and all the necessary navigational equipment for the safety of a ship, shall be regularly inspected by nautical surveyors familiar with these matters by reason of long sea faring experience in connection with them?

Mr. BUXTON

A substantial addition is being made to the surveying staff of the Board of Trade, partly to meet the increase which has taken place in the ordinary work of the surveyors, and partly to undertake the additional duties thrown on the staff by the new life-saving rules. A considerable proportion of this additional work will be connected with the survey of boats and life-saving appliances, but it is not possible or desirable that this branch of work should be confined to surveyors of one particular class.

Mr. PETO

Is it not a fact that there are only sixteen nautical surveyors at the present time, four of them being principal surveyors, whose work is chiefly clerical, and that there are 8,500 vessels, whose life-saving appliances ought to be and have to be inspected by people who have practical experience of the sea?

Mr. BUXTON

I anticipate naturally that there will be an increase of staff, but what particular class of surveyors will be increased, I am unable at present to say.

20. Mr. PETO

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in connection with the promised greater efficiency of the Surveying Department of the Board of Trade, he will consider the necessity of substantially increasing the commencing salary of £200 per annum which is offered to candidates for Board of Trade surveyorships?

Mr. BUXTON

An improvement in the scale of salary of Board of Trade surveyors was made last year.

Mr. PETO

Did the right hon. Gentleman in making the increase take into consideration the extra cost of living on shore?

Mr. BUXTON

Yes, that was considered.