29. Sir JOHN SANDEMAN ALLENasked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to the under-manning of small vessels engaged in the home and coasting trade; and whether he is satisfied that the deck crew of the S.S. "Diamond" (port of registry Glasgow, gross tonnage 628, net tonnage 308), consisting of a master, two mates, one able seaman, and one ordinary seaman (which are insufficient to provide a minimum effective watch), is sufficient to ensure the safe navigation and working of the ship in crowded home waters?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANMy attention has been called to the manning of the ships to which my hon. Friend refers. The Board are only empowered to interfere 1453 with the manning of ships on the grounds of safety, and I am advised that the crews at present carried are sufficient for the safe navigation and working of the ships in question.