HL Deb 11 November 1937 vol 107 cc101-2

Order of the Day for the House to be put into Committee read.

LORD TEMPLEMORE

My Lords, in moving that this House do resolve itself into Committee on this Bill I should like to make a short statement, with your Lordships' permission, in answer to certain questions asked me during the debate on Tuesday by the noble Lord, Lord Strabolgi. He asked me on the Second Reading whether certain payments by seamen could be brought within the Bill. As I informed him then, the Bill is so drafted that it would cover the assignment of wages to the payment of contributions to funds the main purpose of which was the provision of benefits on retirement by seamen as well as officers, if the funds complied with the conditions indicated in the Bill. But so far as the assignment of wages for other purposes than superannuation contributions are concerned, the Bill was not intended to deal with anything beyond the removal of an obstacle to schemes now existing or which may exist in the shipping industry for the payment of benefits on retirement. Assignments of wages for other purposes could not be included in this Bill as it has been framed.

As suggested by the noble Lord there have been discussions between the Board of Trade and representatives of the National Maritime Board, and, I am informed, between representatives of the National Maritime Board and the National Union of Seamen, and I may state that I understand that the views of the industry have not changed and that they do not desire any amendment of the Bill as it stands. I would point out that this Bill, as your Lordships are aware, is primarily a Bill for the provision of pensions for officers. We all hope that within a reasonable time a measure will be brought in for provision for seamen as well, but I have to inform the noble Lord that I have no Amendment to suggest to this measure. I beg to move.

Moved, That the House do now resolve itself into Committee.—(Lord Templemore.)

LORD STRABOLGI

My Lords, I would take this opportunity of thanking the noble Lord for his statement and for initiating inquiries. I have only to add on behalf of those persons concerned for whom I spoke, that they want to see this Bill carried into law as soon as possible, and wish it all success.

On Question, Motion agreed to.

House in Committee accordingly: Bill reported without amendment.