§ 14. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the signing on of Norwegians as skippers and mates, second hands, in British fishing vessels fitted out at North Shields for Greenland recently; whether he is aware that qualified and experienced British seamen were prepared to sign on; and whether he is satisfied that the law with regard to the employment of British subjects in British vessels under the Aliens Act was not broken?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. William Graham)I am aware that 12 fishing vessels, with a parent ship, recently sailed from North Shields for a fishing expedition to Greenland. The Board of Trade were informed that British trawler masters had declined to engage in the venture, which was considered unsuitable for British fishermen because of the long period of absence from home that would be involved and the severity of the working conditions; and that, even if British seamen were available, it would be impracticable to work satisfactorily with mixed crews of British and Norwegians. The Board of Trade therefore exercised their power under Section 78 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1906, to dispense with certain requirements of the Merchant Shipping Acts under the conditions set out in that Section. There is no power to exempt from the provisions of the Aliens Act, but the question of further action in 974 respect of that Act will only arise on the return of the ships, and as at present advised I should not propose to take further action.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYWas my right hon. Friend informed only by the owners, the directors of this company, that there were no suitable British fishermen available?
§ Mr. GRAHAMNo, Sir. So far as I know very full inquiries were made, but the reply is really governed by the fact that there were no British men available.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs my right hon. Friend aware that that is quite untrue? There were suitable and experienced British fishermen who could have undertaken much longer voyages than this, and they were turned down.
§ Mr. GRAHAMThat is not my information. The facts as I have them are stated in the reply, but I will make further inquiries into the points mentioned in the supplementary questions.
§ Major McKENZIE WOODCan the right hon. Gentleman say in what respect the British men were unsuitable?
§ Mr. GRAHAMNo, Sir, I could not say that without notice.