HC Deb 22 March 1938 vol 333 c971
3. Mr. Shinwell

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he intends to consider the introduction of legislation amending the Merchant Shipping Acts of 1894 and 1906, with a view to adapting these Acts to modern requirements?

Mr. Stanley

These Acts give the Board of Trade power to make regulations and issue instructions by which modern conditions are, in general, satisfactorily provided for. Some amending Acts have been passed since 1906, but I am not aware of any amendments urgently necessary at present.

Mr. Shinwell

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the seamen's organisation have been pressing recently for amending legislation, and will he not take their representations into consideration?

Mr. Stanley

I was not aware of that. Our general procedure is by way of regulations and instructions issued under the legislation, and not by way of amending legislation.