HC Deb 13 June 1939 vol 348 cc1092-3
34 and 35. Mr. Benjamin Smith

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether he has noted the conclusion of the medical officer of health for the Port of Liverpool, based on an examination of 500 vessels, that the fresh water storage of cargo vessels is ample for the modern requirements of a hot and cold water supply to wash-places, and that the need exists for an improved method of distribution of the water with better facilities and a sufficient number of conveniently accessible receptacles for ablutions; and whether he will have an inquiry made into this aspect of the question with a view to the issue of instructions designed to improve the standards in existing vessels;

(2) whether he has examined the results of the further inquiry made by the medical officer of health for the Port of Liverpool into the question of providing a pure, copious and conveniently accessible water supply in ships; whether he has noted that more than three times the number of foreign vessels had hot and cold water laid on to wash-places as compared with British vessels of similar type; and whether he will consider amending the instructions to surveyors so as to provide that fresh water is laid on to the wash basins in all new vessels?

Mr. Stanley

I have seen the report mentioned. With regard to existing ships, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to him on the 21st February. In the case of new ships, hot and cold fresh water is usually laid on to the crew's wash-places, except in the case of some small vessels where the galley and the wash-places are both situated aft or amidships. The needs of the situation are, I think, met by the provisions of the current Instructions.

Mr. Smith

The right hon. Gentleman has stated what is happening in the case of new tonnage, but is it not the case, out of 500 ships examined two years running which have been reported to his Department, that on 350 of the ships the men have to go from the forecastle head to amidships for their cold water, and for hot water to the galley, and whether with an open bucket on a windy day he thinks it possible to get the water forward at all? Will he do his best to see that the water is properly conducted to the forecastle from those two places?

Mr. Stanley

The hon. Member knows that we are trying to do everything that is practicable in the case of the older ships, but he knows perfectly well the almost insuperable structural difficulties which may be met with in the older ships.

Viscountess Astor

Does the right hon. Gentleman think that some of the owners of these ships are trying as hard as the Government are trying? If not, should not they be made to?

Mr. Stanley

I am not prepared to share the Noble Lady's inevitable suspicions.

Viscountess Astor

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider the report which he has had upon these ships as dealing with suspicion? Is it not a fact that they are perfectly abominable?