§ Mr. Benjamin Smithasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the unsatisfactory conditions of employment applying to officers and men engaged in the British coastwise shipping trade; and whether, in view of the abortive attempts to secure improvements by representations to the National Maritime Board and the short sea trades committee of that board, he will initiate an inquiry into long-standing grievances?
Mr. Stanley:Conditions of employment in the shipping industry including the coasting trade are a matter for discussion on the National Maritime Board, whose record shows that it is fully competent to deal with such matters. I know of no reason for initiating a special inquiry.