§ 36. Lieut.- Commander KENWORTHYasked the Minister of Labour whether he has any proposals to secure employment for, or assist in any way, the large number of masters and officers of the mercantile service at present without berths; and, if so, what his proposals are?
§ Mr. SHAWA number of proposals for relieving unemployment among masters and officers of the mercantile marine were put before my predecessor by representative associations. While one or two of these proposals are still under consideration, I regret to say that the remainder were found to be quite impracticable. There is, I am afraid, great difficulty in discovering any way of giving special assistance to these men, outside the general arrangements for the relief of unemployment, pending the time when the increase of shipping activities which will accompany a revival of trade gives them employment in their ordinary work.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs it the fact that the great bulk of these officers and mates and men would be prepared to enter into a contributory unemployment insurance scheme, and will the right hon. Gentleman consider such a proposal?
§ Viscount CURZONIs the Minister aware that some of these officers have been compelled to take out barrel-organs on the streets, in order to keep themselves alive.?
§ Mr. SHAWI am not aware of those facts, nor are they indicated in the question. Any representations made on behalf of these men will receive the most careful, considerate and sympathetic attention.