§ 55. Mr. LYNCHasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in regard to the mercantile marine tests for eyesight and colour blindness, they are carried out by non-medical men; and, if so, whether this practice prevails in any other country?
Mr. ROBERTSONThe local examiners in form and colour vision are not medical 1204 men, but an ophthalmic surgeon has been added to the body of examiners to whom candidates who have failed locally can appeal. I am sending to my hon. Friend a Return which was published in 1910, which contains information with regard to the examiners who conduct the test in certain of the principal maritime countries.
§ 56. Mr. LYNCHasked whether the President of the Board of Trade in regard to the mercantile marine, can state what means, if any, are adopted to test the form vision and colour vision of the look-out men?
Mr. ROBERTSONThe Board of Trade have provided facilities for any person serving or intending to serve at sea to undergo the same examination in vision as that prescribed for candidates for certificates of competency, but under the Merchant Shipping Acts there is no power to compel a man who is employed as a "look-out" on board ship to have passed the sight test. It rests with the owner or master of a ship to satisfy himself as to the competence of a seaman appointed to perform the duty of "look-out," and the attention of owners has recently been called to the matter, by means of a notice, of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy.