§ Mr. KIRKWOOD The following Question stood upon the Order Paper in the name of75. To ask the Minister of Labour how many men are employed as engineers and seamen on board the steamships run by the railway companies during the summer months; and what steps he proposes to take to stop the excessive number of hours these men are worked?
§ Mr. KIRKWOODI addressed this question to the President of the Board of Trade, but it is down on the Order Paper as addressed to the Minister of Labour. I want to know how it is that the Question which was handed in by me as addressed to the President of the Board of Trade appears on the Order Paper as addressed to the Minister of Labour?
§ Sir B. CHADWICKI have been asked to reply. No figures are readily available of the number of firemen and seamen employed in all railway-owned steamers during the summer months, and their compilation would take some time. The Board of Trade have no power to regulate hours of labour on board ship, and can only intervene if there be reason to think that the arrangements are such as to cause inefficiency or danger.
§ Mr. JOHNSTONIs not the hon. Gentleman aware that last year the Board of Trade admitted in this House that there were instances known to them of men being employed for 90 hours a week upon these steamers, and is not that detrimental to the public interest?
§ Sir B. CHADWICKI can understand that the Board of Trade may or may not have made certain admissions, but it seems to me that these representations can always be heard, and heard sympathetically, if they are brought to the proper quarter and through the proper channel—the men's representatives.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that we have done everything that we possibly can in the proper quarters, and will he not use his influence, and the influence of the 2426 Government, to see that engineers are employed here when we have so many unemployed engineers and when the engineers on board these steamers are working as many as 90 hours a week? The Government have the power to see that the Fair Wages Clause is put into operation.
§ Sir B. CHADWICKAll I can say is that that has not been represented to my Department since I have been in office. If representations were made, one would give them a sympathetic hearing, and do anything that one possibly could.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODIf I give the hon. Gentleman the information, will he do it?
§ Sir B. CHADWICKI will give it sympathetic consideration.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODThen I will let the hon. Gentleman have the information.