§ 31. Mr. DAVID GRENFELLasked the President of the Board of Trade whether 1475 he is aware that recently it was proposed that the s.s. "Blairmore" should put to sea from Swansea with only a boatswain, a carpenter, two able seamen, and two apprentices on board; that as a result of a complaint by the National Union of Seamen two other apprentices were added; that in many steamships carpenters or able seamen have recently been replaced by ordinary seamen or apprentices; that many of all ratings have been dismissed from the British mercantile marine during the last three years as a result of reductions in manning; and what action he proposes to take in view of the complaints that have been made on this score to his Department by the National Union of Seamen?
§ Sir VICTOR WARRENDER (Vice-Chamberlain of the Household)I have been asked to reply. The Board of Trade are not empowered to interfere with the manning of ships except on the grounds of safety, and, provided safety requirements are met, questions relating to manning are, as the National Union of Seamen were informed in July last, matters for discussion between representatives of the owners and of the men. In the particular case to which my hon. Friend refers, the Board's surveyor satisfied himself before the ship sailed that the crew was sufficient for the safe navigation and working of the ship.