§ 26. Captain MOSSasked the President of the Board of Trade how many efficient deck hands constituted the crew of the as. "Opal," exclusive of the master and two mates, at the time when she foundered off the Longships lighthouse last September, on a voyage from Antwerp to the Clyde, laden with grain; whether these deck hands were capable of being divided into two minimum effective watches; and, if not, whether action will be taken to secure that a minimum effective deck watch can at all times be maintained on board vessels of similar and greater tonnage in the home and coasting trades?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe crew of this vessel of 573 tons gross, apart from the engine-room, consisted of master, two mates, an A.B. and an ordinary seaman, and a cook who had had some experience on deck. For the rest, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply to the hon. Member for West Derby (Sir T. Sandeman Allen) on 16th February, of which I am sending him a copy.