§ 42. Mr. HAYESasked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed British seamen registering in the port of Liverpool on or about 17th March last; whether arrangements exist between the shipping companies and the Employment Exchanges for filling vacancies in crews of ships signing articles in Merseyside ports; and whether any steps can be taken to prevent the importation of Arab and other alien seamen while Merseyside seamen are out of work?
§ Mr. BETTERTONThe number of unemployed British seamen registered at Liverpool on the 17th March was 4,392. There are no special arrangements between the shipowners and the Employment Exchanges for filling vacancies in crews signing articles at Merseyside ports. The importation of alien seamen from abroad is a, question which involves the general regulations affecting aliens for which my right hon. Friend the Secretary for Home Affairs is responsible.
§ Mr. HAYESCould not the Department collaborate with the President of the Board of Trade to see whether the difficulties arising from this matter could not be adjusted?
§ Mr. BETTERTONWell, that is a difficult question, as we are bound, of course, by the Merchant Shipping Act, and to alter it would require statutory authority.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs the Minister of Labour satisfied with a state of affairs under which employment in many other industries is forbidden to aliens, but in the shipping industry it is almost encouraged?
§ Mr. BETTERTONI could not accept the latter part of the question. With regard to the question as to how far we could collaborate with the President of the Board of Trade, I will consult with him on that point, but, as I have already stated, we are bound by the provisions of the Merchant Shipping Act.