HC Deb 14 November 1933 vol 281 cc734-5
31. Sir B. FALLE

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps are taken by his Department to see that those liners which cater for the holiday-cruise traffic provide medical staff of qualified surgeons and physicians, dispensers, and certified nurses proportionate to the number of passengers and crew of the ship?

59. Sir PARK GOFF

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether a physician as well as a surgeon is provided by the ship for the service of passengers and crew of cruising liners; and how many surgeons, physicians, dispensers, and certified nurses are provided, either optionally or by regulation, for the protection of a complement of 750 persons consisting of 500 passengers and 250 crew carried by a liner on a holiday cruise?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

Vessels employed on foreign-going holiday cruises, and having 100 persons or more on board, are required by law to carry a duly qualified medical practitioner. Such practitioners are qualified both in medicine and surgery. The law does not require dispensers and certified nurses to be carried in any ship, but I am informed that a nurse is usually carried in a cruising vessel and that in a number of cases a hospital attendant is also carried and sometimes a second doctor.