§ 14. Mr. McGOVERNasked the President of the Board of Trade the number of Asiatic seamen employed on British ships on 1st May, 1931, and the average number of hours worked and the average wages paid?
§ Mr. W. GRAHAMAs the answer includes a table of figures, I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the answer:
§ The latest available information as to the numbers of Asiatics employed in British ships was given on the 18th June in an answer to the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy), a copy of which I am sending to my hon. Friend. I am not able to give any figures for the average hours worked by Asiatic seamen as these vary according to circumstances but I understand that the hours worked by Asiatic seamen employed on European agreements are generally the same as those worked by white seamen. The wages paid to Asiatic seamen vary according to circumstances and no average figure can be given. The following table, which is based on information obtained from the agreements of particular ships, gives some indication of the rates generally paid:
211| Monthly Wages. | ||||||
| Rating. | Asiatics on European Agreements. | Asiatics on Agreements opened at ports in Asia. | ||||
| Bombay Lascars. | Calcutta Lascars. | Chinese. | ||||
| £ | s. | Rupees. | Rupees. | Dollars. | ||
| Quartermaster (Lascar sea-cunny) | … | 9 | 10 | 60 | 55 | — |
| Sailor | … | 9 | 0 | 30–32 | 25 | 28 |
| Greaser (Lascar Paniwallah) | … | 10 | 0 | 36–44 | 26 | 34 |
| Fireman | … | 9 | 10 | 27–30 | 23 | 31–34½ |
| Assistant Steward or General Servant | … | 8 | 5 | 34–50 | 30 | 28 |