§ 69. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made in the investigations of the Department into the question of the unskilled class of wireless operators, known as watchers, and employed in sea-going ships to relieve skilled wireless ratings; whether he is in a position to state if this class of operators will be abolished; and if he is aware of the effect that the present policy is having on ex-service men who have been trained under the Government scheme as skilled operators and now find employment cannot be obtained?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Sir W. Mitchell-Thomson)The Report of the Merchant Shipping Advisory Committee on watchers has been received and is being considered, but no decision has yet been arrived at. I am aware that this question, which is entirely one of safety of life at sea, has a bearing on the question of employment.