§ 37. Mr. Benjamin Smithasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that dirty conditions are frequently found in forecastles in which the lighting is deficient, and especially in those lit by oil lamps; and whether any action is taken to improve the lighting in forecastles in which in sanitary conditions have to be remedied?
§ Mr. StanleyIf the lighting of the crew's accommodation on any ship was, in the opinion of a Board of Trade surveyor, inadequate, he would take steps to secure improvement.
§ Mr. SmithDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think that oil lighting is inadequate in these days, and, if so, will he tell us how many ships are so lighted and what action he proposes to take to remedy that state of affairs?
§ Mr. StanleyI could not say the number of ships, but, with regard to old ships, oil lighting is not considered unacceptable. It would be unreasonable and impracticable to require other methods of lighting.
§ Mr. SmithWill the right hon. Gentleman make comparisons as to health, and is he not aware that insanitary conditions are always located where they have this oil-lighting, and will he take some steps to deal with the matter?
§ Mr. StanleyNo, Sir.