§ 73. Mr. Shinwellasked the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received from organizations of seafarers on the penal clauses in the Merchant Shipping Bill.
§ Mr. Mason:There was consultation with both sides of the shipping industry while the Merchant Shipping Bill was being drafted, also after its first publication in July last year and also while the present Bill has been under consideration by Parliament. Apart from representations from the National Union of Seamen against these clauses, representations from the interested parties in the merchant shipping industry, including other organisations of seafarers, have supported the inclusion of these clauses in the Bill.