§ 9. Captain Viscount CURZONasked the President of the Board of Trade what sums were realised in 1922, 1923, and 1924, respectively, from the fees of sailors under examination for lifeboat work; what was the cost of the examining officers for the same years; and whether he can now see his way to abolishing this charge?
Mr. WEBBThe receipts from fees for examinations for certificates as lifeboatmen were, in the financial years 1921–22, 1922–23, and 1923–24, respectively, £11 5s., £382 2s., and £1,649 2s. It is not possible to give the exact cost of this particular service, but it certainly exceeded the amount of the fees. The Board of Trade were able to reduce the fee on 1st May from 2s. to 1s., which is well below the cost of the service, but I am afraid it is not possible to go further.
§ Viscount CURZONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is an imposition upon the men, who can only do this when they are out of work; and will he make representations to the Treasury to see if the fee cannot be waived?