§ Viscount CURZONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, seeing that ships' apprentices are being increasingly and regularly employed as wireless watchers and the terms of the indentures are not being carried out, the Marine Department will now officially inform shipowners that the whole time served under indentures is accepted, subject to certain conditions, as qualifying sea-service will apply in all cases except where employment as a wireless watcher has prevented the apprentice from obtaining the necessary experience of the duties of a seaman; and, seeing that the indentures are endorsed by the Board of Trade, will his Department share the responsibility with the owners to ensure that the contract is enforced regarding the training of these youths to enable them to obtain their second-mate's certificate?
Mr. ALEXANDERThe employment of apprentices as wireless watchers is not a matter in which the Board of Trade can usefully intervene, and I regret that I am unable to accept either of the suggestions contained in the question.