HC Deb 06 April 1927 vol 204 cc2072-3
90. Sir ROBERT HAMILTON

asked the President of the Board of Trade if there are any special rules regarding the provision of proper accommodation for fisher girls travelling by ship to fishing centres during the season?

Sir B. CHADWICK

There are no special rules applying to the accommodation of fisher girls, but every vessel carrying the girls is required to hold a passenger certificate, which has to be renewed every year, and to comply with all the Regulations applicable to such certificates. When this question was the subject of a special inquiry by Board of Trade officers and a lady inspector of the Home Office in 1924, the Board of Trade were satisfied that the owners were doing all they could to meet the needs of this traffic, in addition to complying with the official Regulations.

Sir R. HAMILTON

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that conditions are not at all satisfactory at present;, and will he be prepared to make further inquiry?

Sir B. CHADWICK

I know the hon. Gentleman feels strongly on this subject and, although we have examined it as recently as 1924, if he will send me any information he has I will have it looked into again.

Mr. BARR

Will the Minister again submit to these shipping and railway companies a proposal to send the girls in relays so that there will not be overcrowding at any particular time and at any particular place? That, I think, was considered before.

Mr. MACQUISTEN

When the hon. Gentleman is making a further inspection will he secure that lady or other inspectors travel on the boat with the girls in a stormy sea? They will see whether it is satisfactory or not.

Sir B. CHADWICK

I have promised the hon. Member a. further inquiry into the matter. No doubt the points brought up by hon. Members will be dealt with at the inquiry and given consideration. I think the hon. Member behind me (Mr. Macquisten) is wrong in suggesting that inspectors do not travel. I believe they do.

Colonel DAY

May I suggest that some hon. Members should travel on the boats to see what they are like?

Mr. MACQUISTEN

May I say that I am speaking from personal experience?