HC Deb 06 July 1955 vol 543 cc1118-20
18. Mr. E. Johnson

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether, in view of the recent strike of the crews of certain Transatlantic liners, he will cause an inquiry to be made into the living conditions of the crews of liners.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

The standard of crew accommodation in ships, including passenger liners, is governed by statutory requirements, which are reviewed from time to time in consultation with the National Maritime Board. The accommodation initially provided in each ship is approved by my surveyors, and any subsequent alteration must also be approved by them.

In the circumstances, I do not think there is any need for a special inquiry to be made, but I am, of course, always prepared to consider any representations which may be made to me by the National Maritime Board or any of its constituent bodies.

Mr. Johnson

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the travelling public are greatly concerned about the reports that the recent strike was due to bad accommodation in liners? If they be true, would not an inquiry lead to improvement? If they be untrue would it not be fairer to the shipping companies to give the information?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

There is no question that there has been a great improvement in the more modern ships in the standards of crew accommodation provided. The Regulations which my predecessor made, which came into effect on 1st January, 1954, in respect of ships constructed after that date constitute a very considerable advance. I do not think there is any reason to have the inquiry which my hon. Friend has in mind. I am constantly in touch with all concerned on this very important matter, and a special inquiry would not bring to light anything not already known.

Mr. Callaghan

Is it not the case that in 1948, when the last amendment to the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, was put on the Statute Book, that the provision of accommodation for crews in liners was lower than that in modern ships generally, and that the Government specifically did not adhere to the international Convention? In view of this recent dissatisfaction does not the Minister think that the time has come for him to review this question again to see whether we ought to adhere to that Convention?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

The hon. Gentleman is not quite correct: there have been amendments to the Act since the date to which he referred. On the main issue, as I have already said, there is really no difficulty in ascertaining the facts. I am in constant touch with the whole matter, and therefore there is no reason for a special inquiry.

Mr. Callaghan

But has the right hon. Gentleman made any inquiry? Is he aware that it is the Government's responsibility to decide whether to adhere to the Convention? In view of the recent dissatisfaction, is it not the responsibility of the Minister himself to set inquiries of this nature on foot?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

If the hon. Member will study the answer, he will know that through my surveyors I am completely in touch with the facts. The Convention is a quite separate question from that which appears on the Notice Paper. If the hon. Member wants to deal with that, perhaps he will be courteous enough to put a Question on the Paper.