§ 5. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the President of the Board of 1693 Trade if he is aware that in certain British ships trading to the Far East, and in consequence making passage through the Tropics, no awnings are provided to shade the crews' living quarters and no ice chests in order to keep their food fresh, with the result that the men are on salt provisions on the second day out; and whether he will consider bringing to the notice of shipowners the need of these means of adding to the comfort of the forecastle hands?
Mr. WILLIAMSAs the inquiries which have been made show that British ships trading to the Tropics are generally provided with ice and awnings, a general recommendation on the subject would appear to be unnecessary, and there is no power to apply compulsion.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYMay I ask what can be done in the case of those British ships which are not carrying out these obligations? Are there no powers at all to deal with them?
Mr. WILLIAMSOur inquiry showed that the situation is more satisfactory than we thought, but, if the hon. and gallant Member has any particular case in mind, we shall be pleased to do what we can to investigate it.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs the hon. Member aware that I sent actual details of a case to the President of the Board of Trade, and does he not think that the fact that the majority of ships do carry out these obligations makes it all the more reasonable that something should be done against the minority who do not?
§ Sir R. THOMASIs the hon. Member aware that there is no foundation for such a statement and will he ask the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy) to name the shipowners who are guilty of such neglect?