HC Deb 23 July 1914 vol 65 cc636-7
63. Mr. PETO

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Committee inquiring into the subject of the mortality of seamen is composed wholly of Government officials; and, if so, whether he will consider the desirability of enlarging the Committee and including representatives of port medical officers, of officers and men of merchant ships, of ships' surgeons, and others who by reason of personal experience are familiar with the present living conditions on board merchant ships?

Mr. ROBERTSON

The Committee was purposely made small in number, and limited to officers of the three Government Departments primarily concerned—the Board of Trade, the Local Government Board, and the General Register Office. I do not think it would serve the purpose in view to enlarge the Committee, so as to include; representatives of the large number of bodies which may be interested in, or have personal experience of, the matter before the Committee.

Mr. PETO

Is it a fact that only one of the seven members of the Committee have had any practical experience of conditions on board ship?

Mr. ROBERTSON

A number of the members have had experience quite adequate for the purposes of the Committee.