HC Deb 29 July 1938 vol 338 cc3480-1
13. Mr. R. Law

asked the President of the Board of Trade the proportion of British seamen employed in British whaling ships during the last season in the Antarctic?

Mr. Stanley

As only a few of the British whaling ships are registered in the United Kingdom, it is not possible to give, from official records, the figures for which my hon. Friend asks, but I understand from the British whaling companies in this country that about 22 per cent. of the total personnel of their factory ships and whale catchers during the 1937–38 season were British.

Mr. Law

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the very serious distress among British fishermen of this class; and will he consider recommending to these companies that they should do everything in their power to increase the number of British deep-sea fishermen employed?

Mr. Stanley

Yes, in fact, they have done so. As far as I am aware, up to 1936, practically the whole of the whaling fleet was manned by Norwegians, and the 22 per cent. has been achieved entirely in the last two years.