HC Deb 06 March 1935 vol 298 cc1946-7
56. Mr. LEONARD (for Mr. MACLEAN)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can state the number of junior officers in the employ of the Scottish Fishery Board who possess a master's certificate?

The SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Sir Godfrey Collins)

There are 10 officers below the rank of commander in the employment of the Fishery Board for Scotland who hold Masters' certificates.

57. Mr. LEONARD (for Mr. MACLEAN)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the Fishery Board is re-employing a captain who had already retired from the service of the Fishery Board as captain of one of the drifters which the board has commissioned as an additional cruiser; and whether he can state the period he has been so re-employed, and why none of the junior officers employed on the cruisers of the Fishery Board who holds a master's certificate was promoted to this position?

Sir G. COLLINS

A retired officer of the Fishery Board for Scotland has been re-employed since December, 1933, to command one of the four vessels which have been temporarily hired for fishery protection duty. The remaining three hired vessels are commanded by officers detached from service with the regular cruisers; and in the existing circumstances the withdrawal of another experienced officer from the regular cruisers was not considered to be in the best interests of the fishery protection service.

Mr. LEONARD

Will the right hon. Gentleman state why one of the 10 officers referred to was not promoted to the position of commander of the ship?

Sir G. COLLINS

We had regard to the capabilities of all the different officers. The one who is referred to in the question is not drawing any pension.

Mr. LEONARD

Does that mean that some of these officers who have a captain's certificate are not capable of being captains?

Sir G. COLLINS

I would not like to say that they were not capable of being captains. That would be a reflection on them. It would be drawing too much upon the present officers in the fishery service if we chose four for these temporary duties. The matter was fully considered before the appointment was made.