HL Deb 18 June 1901 vol 95 cc687-8
LORD MUSKERRY

My Lords, I beg to ask His Majesty's Government whether they are aware of the statement which appeared in The Times of the 13th of November last, stating that it was understood that the late President of the Board of Trade had under consideration and contemplated the appointment of a Committee to inquire into the food and accommodation provided for seamen on merchant ships; whether this statement was correct; and whether, in view of the necessity for such an inquiry, both as regards officers and seamen, the President of the Board of Trade will consider the appointment of a Committee at the earliest possible time. I was very pleased to hear that part of the speech of the noble Earl (the Earl of Dudley) yesterday, in which he suggested offering inducements to seamen to enter the service by improving their condition. I believe that on board the great liners—the Cunard, the P. and O., and other liners like them—the food is all that could be desired, and the accommodation is very good; but, unfortunately, in some other vessels the food is very bad, and the accommodation, both for officers and men, is not fit for dogs. The following is an extract from a letter written by a master— I think our owners want waking up in this matter. They think only about carrying capacity when building a ship, and when nearly finished the question arises where to put the officers. I think your eyes would be opened if you saw some of our ships officers' accommodation. I have seen some of the accommodation, and it is certainly a disgrace to the country that people should be allowed to be put in such places. There is another matter that requires consideration. Even good food can be spoilt by bad cooking, and I would suggest to the Board of Trade that they should adopt some means to ensure that the men who ship as cooks are really capable of carrying out their duties.

THE EARL OF DUDLEY

I believe this matter was under consideration at the time Mr. Ritchie left the Board of Trade, but I am not aware that any conclusion had been arrived at. My right hon. friend the present President is of opinion that there is not sufficient ground for a limited inquiry such as is suggested in the question, inasmuch as the facts are already fairly well known. He is, however, considering the advisability of an inquiry of a more general character into questions affecting the interests of the mercantile marine as a whole; but I am not at present in a position to make a more definite statement on the subject.

House adjourned at a quarter before Five of the clock, to Thursday next, half-past Ten of the clock.