§ 85. Mr. CHARLES DUNCANasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state why, in view of the declaration made in November last that captains, officers, engineers and crews will be doing as good service for their country by continuing to man British ships as by joining the Army, stewards on passenger vessels have not been included in the list of persons entitled to exemption under the Military Service Act, 1916; whether he is aware that the trade union concerned has an agreement with the Admiralty for the supply of men and that it has had difficulty in finding sufficient; and whether steps will be taken to include stewards on passenger vessels in the lists of those entitled to exemption?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Runciman)The Board of Trade do not look upon stewards on passenger vessels as being in the same category, as regards being indispensable to the merchant service, as captains, officers, engineers, and other seamen. The question of the stewards required for the needs of the Admiralty Transport Service is being considered.