§ 23. Mr. BENJAMIN SMITHasked the President of the Board of Trade the number of vessels in respect of which subsidy payments have been made which carry as part of their crews lascar or Chinese seamen or firemen?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI regret that the information desired is not available. If the hon. Member is concerned with the employment of foreigners on vessels receiving subsidy, this is, of course, now exceptional. Subsidy is not paid in respect of any voyage without a recommendation from the Tramp Shipping Subsidy Committee, and it is the declared policy of the Committee that British crews should be employed wherever practicable.
§ Mr. SHINWELLAre we to understand definitely that no subsidy is payable where Chinese or lascar seamen are employed?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThat depends upon the nationality of the Chinese or lascar seamen.
§ Mr. SHINWELLAre we to understand that in spite of the fact that the wages paid are inconsistent with the decision of the National Maritime Board, the subsidy is paid?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANNo, each case must be examined on its merits.
§ Mr. BENJAMIN SMITHIf I can bring evidence that the crews are, in fact, foreign, and not British lascars or Chinese, will the right hon. Gentleman then take action?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANIf the hon. Member gives me that information, I shall, of course, hand it over to the Tramp Shipping Subsidy Committee.
§ 24. Mr. SMITHasked the President of the Board of Trade the number of white British, lascars, and Chinese signed on as members of the crew of the steamship "Kelvinbank," and whether subsidy has been paid in respect of voyages made by this vessel?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANTwelve white British officers and one Chinese carpenter have been engaged for service on the "Kelvinbank" on an agreement opened at Cardiff on 25th March, 4936. Thirty-five lascars are serving on a lascar agreement opened at Calcutta on 5th August, 1935. Subsidy for this vessel has been paid in respect of voyages carried out in 1935.
§ Mr. SMITHIs it the case that the agreement they are under contravenes the rates of the National Maritime Board?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI cannot say that until the agreement has been examined by the committee.
§ Mr. SMITHI understood the right hon. Gentleman to say they were being paid on an agreement the lascars made in India, and therefore they cannot be the Maritime Board rates.
§ Mr. SPEAKERMr. Smith.
§ 25. Mr. SMITHasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that in the articles of the steamship "Kelvinbank" there is a clause to the effect that overtime payments shall not be made in any circumstances to the members of the crew; and, as such a clause is contrary to the agreements or recommendations of the National Maritime Board, will he take action in the matter?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANIn the European articles of the steamship "Kelvinbank" opened at Cardinff on the 25th March, 1936, there is a clause to the effect stated in the hon. Member's question. The agreement relates to the officers, in respect of whom there is no National Maritime Board agreement as to overtime, and to a carpenter. The remaining members of the crew are employed on a lascar agreement and, as is customary, there are no stipulations regarding overtime in this agreement. I have drawn the attention of the Tramp Shipping Subsidy Committee to this matter.
§ Mr. SMITHAs the carpenter is British he would naturally come under the Maritime Board rates, and if that is so the agreement is not being observed by this company. Will the right hon. Gentleman look into the matter?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI have already said that I have drawn the attention of the Committee to these facts.