19. Vice-Admiral CAMPBELLasked the President of the Board of Trade why persons in charge of and second hands of fishing vessels over 25 tons are required to hold a Board of Trade certificate of competency, while persons in charge of and mates of cargo steamers operating within home-trade limits are not required to hold such certificates?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe requirements referred to in the question are statutory and of long standing. A number of fishing vessels make voyages extending far beyond the coasting limits.
§ Mr. RUNCIMANYes, but a certain number of the fishing vessels do their fishing far outside the home-trade limits both north and south.
20. Vice-Admiral CAMPBELLasked the President of the Board of Trade how many vessels under the British flag employed on coastwise traffic have no British certificated officers on board; and how many vessels under the British flag in all parts of the world have no British certificated officers on board?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI regret that this information is not available.
21. Vice-Admiral CAMPBELLasked the President of the Board of Trade how many British certificated officers of the merchant navy are unemployed?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI regret that I am unable to give the desired information.
Vice-Admiral CAMPBELLWill not the right hon. Gentleman consider having a Marine Department in his office to advise him in these matters?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI believe that the information for which my hon. and gallant Friend asks can be obtained from some of the service organisations, but we do not necessarily keep these records at the Board of Trade.
§ Mr. HANNONSurely the Marine Department of the Board of Trade ought to have some knowledge of the number of certificated officers of the Mercantile Marine who are out of posts, and that it ought to facilitate giving these men posts?