§ 74. Mr. PETOasked the President of the Board of Trade whether His Majesty's Government has had under consideration proposals for the inauguration of a scheme of pensions for merchant seamen; whether the State contemplates contributing towards such a scheme; whether shipowners have been approached in order to ascertain the extent to which they will be prepared to supplement any such provision made by Parliament; whether His Majesty's Government have taken any steps to ascertain whether the officers and men of the mercantile marine would be willing to contribute to such scheme; and whether, in view of the importance of the shipping industry to the maintenance of British commerce, he will consider the importance of safeguarding the service by taking such steps as will tend to secure an adequate supply of officers and men of British birth and parentage?
§ Mr. WARDLENo proposals for the inauguration of a pension scheme for merchant seamen are at present before the Board of Trade.
§ Mr. PETOWill the hon. Gentleman consider the suggestions made in this question, in view of the importance of making the merchant service sufficiently safe and secure as a profession to ensure a supply of British-born officers and men?
§ Mr. WARDLEIf the hon. Gentleman has any scheme that he would like to put put before me, I would be very glad to consider it with him.