§ 16. Mr. LOGANasked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been drawn to the fact that more than 30 per cent. of British ships entering the port of Manchester were found to be insanitary; that the death rate of British seamen is over 70 per cent. in excess of the normal mortality rate; and what action is being taken to improve the quarters of the crew and the sanitation on British ships?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI am aware that the medical officer of health to the Port Sanitary Authority of Manchester has stated in his report for 1930 that of 1,324 British vessels entering the port in that year, 395 have been found on inspection to be insanitary. This number covers defective as well as insanitary vessels and in many cases the ships had small defects, due to voyage damage or wear and tear, which were remedied before the ships sailed again. The action taken to improve the crew accommodation in British ships is indicated in the statement the President of the Board of Trade circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT of 7th July last. As regards mortality due to disease arising from the character of the occupation, the special investigation of which this House was informed on the 24th December, 1929, has been completed and the report will be published as soon as possible. It will show that the shipping industry does not compare unfavourably with other industries in this respect.
§ Mr. RHYS DAVIESHas the right hon. Gentleman seen a Press report in a very authoritative quarter to the effect that the accommodation on these British ships is not as good as the accommodation on foreign ships? Does the right hon. Gentleman agree?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI have not seen the statement, but if I had seen it, I should have disagreed, as I do now.
§ Mr. LOGANIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that it is the general complaint of the whole mercantile marine service of the country?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANNo, none of the organisations of the British mercantile marine has made any complaint whatever on the subject.