HC Deb 22 March 1938 vol 333 cc972-3
7. Sir Walter Smiles

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the report of the Hull and Goole Port sanitary authority, any steps are being taken to make inspection of the crews' quarters a part of the regular routine of British steamers?

Mr. Stanley

The Board of Trade issued revised instructions in regard to crews' quarters in September, 1937. Provision was then made for frequent and regular inspections of the quarters by masters and for the entry of the results of such inspections in the official log at least once a week. I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend a copy of the new instructions.

Sir W. Smiles

Are the crews' quarters supposed to be cleaned out during the time they are on duty or in their spare time?

Mr. Stanley

That is rather a different question. Perhaps the hon. Member will put it down.

Viscountess Astor

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that the conditions in which a great many of our merchant seamen go to sea are perfectly scandalous, and will he do all he can to bring about an improvement?

Mr. Stanley

I am also mindful that the secretary of the Seamen's Union, in referring to the new regulations, spoke of them as making a revolution in the accommodation for crews, and expressed great satisfaction.

Mr. Shinwell

Will the right hon. Gentleman understand that that does not indicate that the seamen's organisation are satisfied with present conditions?

Viscountess Astor

And does it not mean that some of those regulations— [Interruption].