HC Deb 29 September 1931 vol 257 cc190-1
17. Mr. EDE

asked the President of the Board of Trade what are the numbers of British subjects and aliens, respectively, who have been signed on at South Shields for ships' crews during the last year for which figures are available?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table showing the numbers of engagements of seamen, British and foreign, at South Shields during 1930 and the first two quarters of 1931.

Mr. EDE

Is the right hon. Gentleman taking any steps to secure that a larger proportion of British seamen are employed from this port?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

The statement is rather a long one, and I think that, if the hon. Gentleman studies it. he will see that there is very small variation.

Mr. EDE

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman do something better than his predecessor?

Engagement of Seamen at South Shields for Service in British Foreign-going Ships during 1930 andthe first half of 1931.
— British other than Asiatics and Africans. Foreigners other than Asiatics and Africans. Asiatics and Africans, British and Foreign. Total.
1930. No. Per cent No. Per cent No. Per cent
1st Quarter … … … 2,977 91 89 3 193 6 3,259
2nd Quarter … … … 3,497 93 125 3 154 4 3,776
3rd Quarter … … … 3,140 91 130 4 175 5 3,445
4th Quarter … … … 2,279 91 95 4 134 5 2,508
Total … … … 11,893 92 439 3 656 5 12,988
1931.
1st Quarter … … … 2,254 91 114 5 108 4 2,476
2nd Quarter … … … 3,119 90 141 4 225 6 3,485
The above figures relate to engagements and not to individual seamen; if a seaman were engaged twice during any period he would be counted twice in the totals for that period. The proportion of British among the Asiatics and Africans cannot be stated exactly but is probably considerable.

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