§ 66. Mr. BENJAMIN SMITHasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the motor-vessel "Reiger," of Zuidbrock, Holland, loaded 1869 a cargo of 250 tons of bricks at South Shields on 6th July, 1936, consigned from the Consett Brick Works, Durham, to the Beckton Gas Works, London; that her crew comprised the master, a mate, one able seaman who acted as engineer, and one able seaman who acted as cook; and, as such a crew is inadequate to render the vessel fit to proceed to sea without danger to human life and does not make the ship sufficiently manned in accordance with Article 48 of the International Safety Convention, whether he will make representations to the gas undertaking concerned to utilise only those vessels which are properly manned by qualified crews receiving rates of wages equivalent to the National Maritime Board scales?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI understand that the Dutch motor vessel "Reiger" sailed from Dunston to Beckton on 6th July with a cargo of fire bricks. I have no information as to her manning. As regards the last part of the question, I will consider whether any general recommendation in the sense suggested would be useful.
§ Mr. SMITHIs the right hon. Gentleman aware of the growing practice of masters using their wives and families as part of the crew, and will he press upon large undertakings like gas and electricity undertakings, which are working under legislation from this House, the necessity of employing British labour?