§ 37. Sir H. BRITTAINasked the President of the Board of Trade what is approximately the number of men employed by the British mercantile marine, and of the total what is the approximate number of foreigners serving?
Mr. WILLIAMSThe total number of seamen employed on 31st March, 1927, in sea-going vessels (except yachts and fishing vessels) registered in the United Kingdom under Part I of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, was 200,525, of whom 52,062 were lascars. Of the remainder, 132,384 ware British and 16,079 were of foreign nationality. Later information as to the total number employed, and fuller particulars of nationalities of the seamen, are not available.
§ Sir H. BRITTAINIs any action being taken to reduce the proportion of foreign seamen?
Mr. WILLIAMSThese statistics relate to all British ships, including many which never arrive at a port in this country. If you take the engagements of seamen at ports in this country, the proportion of British is very much larger than the proportion for all British ships.
§ Mr. W. THORNEIs it not a fact that this matter is entirely in the hands of the shipowners?
Commander WILLIAMSIs it not time a very definite line was taken to encourage the employment of really British seamen on British ships every' time?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is a matter for Debate.