§ 65. Mr. BUCHANANasked the President of the Board of Trade the total number of ships registered in British ports in 1920, 1924, and the most recent figures; and the number of inspectors engaged in the work of inspecting ships in the same years?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERThe number of ships registered as British ships at ports in the United Kingdom, Isle of Man and Channel Islands, on the 31st December of each of the years 1920, 1924 and 1927, was 18,616, 18,355 and 17,981 respectively. The figure for 1920 includes ships registered at ports in the whole of Ireland, and those for 1924 and 1927 exclude ships registered at ports in the Irish Free State. With reference to the second part of the question, the number of surveyors on the Marine Survey Staff of the Board of Trade in the years 1920, 1924 and 1927 was 215, 196 and 191 respectively.
§ Mr. BUCHANANIn view of the need for the thorough inspection of ships, why is there this reduction in the number of inspectors now looking after this class of work?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERThe inspectorate, I think is fully adequate to the duties it has to discharge. The answer to the supplementary question is two-fold; firstly, the Irish Free State is no longer under the jurisdiction of these inspectors; and, secondly, the hon. Member would be the first to admit that efficiency and activity do not necessarily depend upon numbers.
§ Mr. BUCHANANEven making allowance for the Irish Free State there is now a decrease in the number of inspectors, and, in view of the anxiety felt in many quarters as to the future inspection of ships, does the right hon. Gentleman not consider that the time is opportune for an increase in the number of inspectors?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERNo, Sir. I think that it would be most improper to propose an increase in the number of inspectors unless there were some evidence that the inspectors were not sufficient or adequate for the purpose.