HC Deb 12 March 1953 vol 512 cc1488-90
20. Mr. Porter

asked the Minister of Labour how many merchant seamen are registered with his Department for seagoing employment; what steps he takes to overcome difficulties in recruitment; and, in this connection, what have been the results of the inquiries made into the case of Mr. J. Wesley, details of which have been sent to him.

Sir W. Monckton

On 8th December, 1952, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 4,724 persons registered at Employment Exchanges for seagoing employment and I am not aware of any special recruiting difficulties. With regard to Mr. Wesley, I am informed that his application to enter one of the Shipping Federation's Training Schools for Firemen was rejected by the Federation because, owing to a long waiting list, recruitment of firemen in the Yorkshire Area had been temporarily suspended.

Mr. Porter

In regard to the case of Mr. Wesley, has the right hon. and learned Gentleman any comment to make in regard to the form which was sent to him turning down his application? Since the filling in of part of that form has now been found to be a forgery—from the point of view of the Shipping Federation and my constituent it must have occurred between their two geographical situations—will the right hon. and learned Gentleman make a statement accordingly, in order that the Press can give the same amount of publicity to his reply as they gave when this subject was first raised?

Sir W. Monckton

I am obliged to the hon. Gentleman for giving me an opportunity of saying that I am quite satisfied, from the inquiries I have made, that this man was not rejected for the training school because of his colour, I know that various documents have been shown and doubted, but I am happy to say that, as Minister of Labour, I have not got to consider whether forgery has been committed.

Mr. Porter

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman have a further conference with the Ministry of Transport in view of the developments which have taken place outside this Chamber, and does he not agree that people who commit dastardly actions of this kind. exploiting the colour bar and race hatred in this country for pseudo-political purposes, ought to be brought to justice?

Sir W. Monckton

I am afraid that is not a matter for me.