HC Deb 25 March 1926 vol 193 cc1376-8
64. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

asked the President of the Board of if he is aware of the continued and heavy unemployment among British merchant seamen; and what steps he is taking to encourage shipowners to employ a greater proportion of British seafarers in their crews?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Sir Burton Chadwick)

There is a certain amount of unemployment among British merchant seamen, but it is not possible to give exact figures or to make an accurate comparison with the pre-War position. Taking the engagements at the Mercantile Marine Offices, the engagements of aliens amount to about 5 per cent. of the total. While I have every desire to see the percentage of British seamen even lager than at present, I do not think that representations to shipowners, who are fully aware of the position, would serve any useful purpose.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

The hon. Gentleman talks about "a certain amount" of unemployment, but will he be good enough to visit Hull during the Recess? If be does and goes down to the Postern Gate any morning he will see a large number of able and excellent sea men without ships.

Sir B. CHADWICK

I do not want to give it false impression by my reply, but when I used the words "a certain amount" I was aware that there is too much unemployment. The point of the question, however, was not that, but whether we can relieve unemployment by increasing the number of British seamen in British ships. It is that part of the question to which I was referring, and I do not think that any report such as the hon. and gallant Gentleman suggested would do any good.

Mr. HAYES

Has the Department taken any steps to deal with crews such as those which were referred to in the House the other day, which contain every nationality except British, and yet are registered in a British port?

Sir B. CHADWICK

Yes, Sir; as far as we can we do everything to meet such cases.

Commander WILLIAMS

Is this not a case for tightening up the Aliens Act generally all round?

Mr. SPENCER

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this is a most extraordinary question for a pronounced Free Trader to put down?