§ 36. Mr. BUCHANANasked the President of the Board of Trade the number of inspectors who are employed in the inspection of ships at home ports, and the number of ships involved and total tonnage; and the same figures for 1914?
Mr. WILLIAMSThe Survey Staff of the Board of Trade, which is responsible for the inspection of ships, numbered 191 in 1914, and 198 in 1928. All ships, British and foreign, in United Kingdom ports are liable to inspection.
§ Mr. BUCHANANCan the hon. Member give me the figures of the total tonnage involved?
Mr. WILLIAMSIt is almost impossible to give a satisfactory figure on that basis, because the same ship may come into a home port on several occasions, but all ships are liable to inspection.
§ Mr. BUCHANANCan the hon. Gentleman give me the number of British ships involved in this inspectorate?
§ Mr. BUCHANANCan the hon. Gentleman say the increase in the tonnage in 1928 as compared to 1914?
Mr. WILLIAMSOff-hand I cannot, but, broadly speaking, as far as I can make it out, the inspectorate has increased in proportion to the increased tonnage of ships.
§ Captain GARRO-JONESCan the hon. Gentleman say if no British ships sailing for foreign ports sail under some breach of the Regulations and whether the Consular officers have similar powers of inspection to the inspectors in this country?
§ Mr. SPEAKERNotice should be given of that question.