§ 4. Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYasked the President of the Board of Trade 558 if he is aware of the heavy dismissals of wireless telegraphy operators by the shipping companies during the last few months owing to the employment of the class of watchers in Class 2 passenger and cargo steamers in lieu of trained operators; that some 300 ex-service men who have been trained by the Ministry of Labour as operators at great expense are now out of employment; that the employment of these watchers means increased risk to life and property at sea owing to their inability to read Morse efficiently; and whether he will consider amending the Rules made under the Merchant Shipping (Wireless Telegraphy) Act, 1919, so as to make the carrying of two trained operators compulsory in Class 2 vessels, and the abolition of the watcher class?
§ Mr. BALDWINI would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply which was given on 9th May to the hon. Member for Eastbourne. I am sending him a copy of that reply.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the situation has become worse since then owing to the further dismissal of these highly skilled wireless operators, and is he further aware that the various seamen's organisations are firmly in support of these wireless operators in demanding that there should be two of them carried in a second class ship, so that there can be a continual watch?
§ Mr. BALDWINI am afraid that a great many of these dismissals are incidental to the terrible state of trade and industry, including shipping. I will look into the point.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYIn view of this terrible state of shipping, is it not all the more desirable to give these skilled ratings employment, and will not the abolition of the watcher class do that?
§ Captain Viscount CURZONCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether any of these skilled operators are out of work owing to industrial difficulties preventing ships sailing?
§ Mr. BALDWINI must ask for notice of that question.