§ 63. Mr. Keenanasked the Minister of Transport what the Government intend to do when the Shipping Pool is discontinued; and, particularly, if he is considering setting up a scheme which will ensure the men of the British Merchant Navy being constantly employed.
§ Mr. BarnesThe present arrangement under which the Government pay pool wages will terminate on 31st December when the Essential Work Order for the Merchant Navy will cease to operate, but it is understood that the National Maritime Board have, for some time, had the question of possible future arrangements under consideration.
§ Mr. KeenanIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that so far as seamen are concerned it seems that no steps are being taken and that if the Government do not do something, all the talk and praise which we heard of the Merchant Service during the war will be no compensation?
§ Mr. BarnesAs of course my hon. Friend knows, the National Maritime Board is representative of both sides of the industry, and my own Parliamentary Secretary, as a representative at the international conference, did promote an agreement to deal with this question, and we hope the Governments will adopt it.
§ Colonel ClarkeIs it not a fact that in the near future it is much more likely that there will be a shortage of merchant seamen rather than unemployment?