§ 26 Mr. EDEasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether, in view of the statement by the Merchant Shipping Advisory Committee that any evasions of the manning regulations by shipowners are not to be attributed to the existing law but to weakness in its enforcement, he will undertake to strengthen the enforcement of the law in this and cognate matters;
(2) whether, in view of the statement by the Merchant Shipping Advisory Committee that Circular 1463 fell short of that Committee's recommendations, he will now more specifically define the term, efficient deck hand, so that the definition of efficiency shall be precise, workable, 236 and of exactly similar standard in all ports;
(3) whether, in view of the recommendations of the Merchant Shipping Advisory Committee on the deck manning of foreign-going cargo ships, he can now promise legislation in the near future to make those recommendations statutory?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANAs my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary stated in Debate on 20th February, steps are being taken to give early effect to the Committee's proposals. No new legislation is necessary for this purpose.
§ Mr. EDEMay I take it that the right hon. Gentleman will strengthen the enforcement of the law in the matters referred to?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThat is the meaning of my answer.
§ Mr. MACLEANWill there be adequate time for discussion?
§ Mr. SHINWELLWhen does the right hon. Gentleman expect that the regulations will be enforced?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANAs soon as we can get them ready.