HC Deb 17 December 1936 vol 318 cc2624-7
Mr. BENJAMIN SMITH

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will give a list of the persons employed as master, officers and crew of the steamship "Brodwal," the nationality in each case, and the rates of wages paid?

Dr. BURGIN

As the answer is in the form of a tabular statement I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the answer:

List of Crew of Steamship "Brodwal" for voyage commenced at Galatz, 27th August, 1936. (These are the latest particulars available).
Name. Nationality. Rating. Wages per month.
£ s. d.
N. Klimos Greek Master Not shown.
P. Perdery French Chief Officer 10 0 0
N. Klimos Greek 2nd Officer 7 10 0
E. H. Ward British Wireless Operator 12 10 0
J. Morozanis Greek 1st Engineer 12 0 0
K. Hartcheonicos Greek 2nd Engineer 9 0 0
P. Silos Greek 3rd Engineer 7 10 0
M. Zanoulitzin French Boatswain 6 0 0
O. Zanoulitzin French Cook 6 0 0
A. Andoniadis Greek Steward 6 0 0
Ahmet Turk Fireman 5 10 0
D. Michaelov Jugo Slav Donkeyman 6 0 0
Maksot Turk Sailor 5 0 0
A. F. Mavronicolos Greek Fireman 5 10 0
Z. Fokos Greek Fireman 5 10 0
N. Mitropios Greek Fireman 5 10 0
A. Podosenis Greek Fireman 5 10 0
X. Povonuriz Greek Sailor 5 0 0
Shefki Turk Sailor 5 0 0
Refik Turk Sailor 5 0 0
Hussein Turk Fireman 5 10 0
59. Mr. SMITH

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the owners of the steamship "Dumfries," by discharging their British-born seamen and substituting lascars, are saving the sum of £45 per month in wages, although increasing the number of the crew by 20 persons; whether the rates of pay given to the lascar seamen and firemen are in accord with the decisions of the National Maritime Board; and whether any application has been made for assistance under the British Shipping (Assistance) Act in respect of the voyage or voyages made by this vessel since 19th November, 1936?

Dr. BURGIN

I understand that the saving in wages is approximately as stated by the hon. Member, but I am informed that there are additional costs incurred in the employment of the lascar crew, for example, additional food costs. As regards the second part of the question, the National Maritime Board decisions as to rates of wages do not apply to the lascar crew who were engaged in India on Lascar Agreements. As regards the last part of the question, the voyage of the "Dumfries," which began on 19th November, is not yet complete, and an application for subsidy could not therefore have been made.

Mr. SMITH

Will the hon. Gentleman tell the House the actual conditions of the alleged Lascar Agreement; is he aware that no such agreement in fact exists and that agreements are made either through a Serang or directly with the master of the ship as to the wages paid to these seamen?

Dr. BURGIN

I cannot obviously give information about a particular agreement without having the question on the Paper.

Mr. SMITH

Will the hon. Gentleman agree with me, if I tell him that the India Office has so informed me by letter?

60. Mr. SMITH

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any of the officers or members of the crews of the steamship "Martis" and steamship "Toussika" are of British nationality; and, if so, will he state the number and their ratings?

Dr. BURGIN

According to the latest information available in the Board of Trade no officer or other member of the crews of the steamship "Martis" and steamship "Toussika" was of British nationality.

Mr. SMITH

Does the hon. Gentleman consider that where the master and the wireless operator are other than British as they are in many cases, it is likely to accrue to the good of this country, in view of the information which they are able to obtain from Admiralty sources and by means of wireless communications?

Dr. BURGIN

I was asked a specific question as to the nationality of the members of the crews of these ships, and not as to the policy which governs this matter. The hon. Member will find that Section 92 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, does not apply unless a vessel is going from a place in the United Kingdom. Neither of these vessels is touching the United Kingdom at all.