§ Mr. Peter Freemanasked the Minister of War Transport whether he is aware of the unsatisfactory condition of the living and sleeping quarters of the crew in many British ships; and what steps are being taken to remedy this evil.
§ Mr. BarnesThe standard of crew accommodation necessarily varies with the age of the ships. In general I am satisfied that ships built since 1937, when revised Regulations for crews' quarters came into force, give reasonable living conditions. A review of the 1937 standards is now under consideration both by my Department and by the Committee of the National Maritime Board representing owners, officers and men, with a view to ensuring that the ships of the future provide a proper standard of comfort and hygiene. Many of the ships built before1042W 1937 if well maintained should give no reasonable ground for complaint. The construction and layout of others make it difficult greatly to improve matters, except perhaps in details.