§ Mr. M'GHEEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that three Government Departments now exist each dealing with shipping, namely, the Ministry of Shipping, the Marine Department of the Board of Trade, and the General Register and Record Office of Shipping and Seamen; what are the functions of each Department; whether any steps have been taken to prevent overlapping and duplication of duties; and whether, in the interest of greater efficiency and economy, he will consider the desirability of these three Departments being combined and placed under the control of one Minister?
Mr. ROBERTSI am afraid it would not be possible to state in detail in answer to a question the functions of all the Departments which are concerned in shipping questions. The Registry of Shipping and Seamen is not a separate Department, but a branch of the Board of Trade, and there is very close co-operation between the Board of Trade and the Ministry of Shipping, which does in fact prevent overlapping and duplication of duties.