HC Deb 14 March 1939 vol 345 cc208-9
38. Mr. Benjamin Smith

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the large number of defects in crews' accommodation which arise through lack of care and sanitary supervision; and whether any action is being taken by his Department, apart from the issue of the new instructions as to the survey of masters' and crews' spaces, to promote a greater interest in and knowledge of hygiene in crews' accommodation?

Mr. Stanley

The question of promoting interest in, and knowledge of, hygiene in crews' accommodation is one for the owners, officers and crews. As the hon. Member is aware, the Shipping Federation and the National Union of Seamen set up a joint committee last year to consider methods of improving the standard of cleanliness and comfort in crews' quarters.

Mr. Smith

Has the committee yet issued any report?

Mr. Stanley

I understand not.

Mr. Kirby

When is the Department of the right hon. Gentleman going to take an interest in this matter?

Mr. Stanley

That is a most unfair imputation, because for some time now the Board of Trade has taken a most active interest in the matter and, as a matter of fact, the formation of the joint committee to which I referred in my answer was the result of suggestions made by my right hon. and gallant Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, who was then Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade.

Mr. Kirby

When may we expect any result from the working of this committee?

Mr. Stanley

It is clear that this question must depend to a large extent upon action taken by the captains, officers and crews of the ships themselves, and it is to that end that this committee has been set up.

Mr. Smith

Is it not a condition precedent that the ship when originally built should be healthily built, and not as now? They never were constructed so that they could be kept healthy.

Mr. Stanley

The hon. Member, no doubt, knows the tribute which has been paid by the National Union of Seamen to the new regulations that have been laid down, as a tremendous advance.

80. Mr. Smith

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that thousands of the defects in crews' accommodation reported by port medical officers year by year come under the heading of dirty and verminous conditions, and other conditions prejudicial to health; and whether he will cause a report to be prepared on the number and nature of these nuisances, so that the extent of the problem may be revealed?

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health (Mr. Bernays)

Port health authorities have been requested to give special attention to cleanliness and tidiness in crews' accommodation, and port medical officers of health are required to state in their annual reports the number of defects in crews' quarters of the kind to which the hon. Member refers which have been reported during the "ear. The information supplied by the medical officers of health at present does not enable me to state the number and nature of these nuisances separately, but my right hon. Friend is considering whether it would be practicable to revise Table J so as to give further information of the kind which the hon. Member has in mind.

Mr. Smith

Will the Parliamentary Secretary undertake that when reports are made at British ports the ships shall be subject to a survey?

Mr. Bernays

I should like notice of that question.

Viscountess Astor

Is my hon. Friend aware that this matter is causing grave concern among all sections, and will he take some steps to deal with it?