§ Order read for resuming adjourned Debate on Question [13th May], "That the Bill be now read a second time."
§ Question again proposed. Debate resumed.
1199Mr. HAMILTON BENNI understand that it is not the intention of my Friends to oppose the Second Reading of this Bill. Therefore I do not intend to take any different position myself. The opposition which was offered to the Bill was intended more than anything else as a protest against the delay of the Board of Trade in producing a much more important measure, which is long overdue, and was promised by the late President of the Board of Trade. I refer particularly to the subject of the manning of British ships, which the Royal Commission on Manning some twenty years ago said was then urgent. I understand that we may have an opportunity to-morrow of discussing this matter on the Vote for the Board of Trade. The present Bill is not a very important one; indeed, it seems strange to some of us that it is thought desirable or necessary to bring in a separate Bill for this purpose at all. The present Board of Examiners, a semi-independent body, have done their work exceedingly well, and I am not aware that there has been any complaint against them. It may be desirable that they should be brought under the Board of Trade, which I understand is the object of this Bill. If the intention is to enable the Board of Trade to improve the position of the examiners, and to obtain a larger staff, that may be a very desirable object. The pay given at present is not a very attractive remuneration for men with the necessary qualifications. I understand that the examiners have to hold an extra-master's foreign-going certificate, and to have been in command of a ship for some period of time; yet the commencing salary is only £200 a year, without any great prospect of improvement. I understand that under this Bill the Board of Trade are empowered to reduce the number of places where examinations are held. If that is so, great hardship may be inflicted upon a number of poor men, who may have to travel some distance to attend these examinations. I hope that some provision will be made whereby such expenses of candidates may be paid.
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. J. M. Robertson)There is no intention on the part of the Board of Trade to reduce the number of places where examinations are held. The Bill gives power to increase the number of places. It may be necessary to make some readjustments, but I can assure the hon. Member that the Board will, in the future as in the past, try to meet the convenience of candidates. The Bill, though not highly important, is a necessary preamble to the working of the larger Bill, which we hope to introduce later on.