§ Mr. T. JOHNSTONasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that prospectuses, issued by the London and North Eastern Railway Company, show a steamer engaged in the Clyde service from 7.25 a.m. to 6.50 p.m. for six days a week; that, in addition, there is work to be performed on Sundays; and that, during the 234W summer months, the engineers and all the other officers are engaged for about 90 hours a week; and what steps he proposes to take that steamers carrying His Majesty's mails shall operate under reasonable working conditions?
Mr. WEBBThe Board of Trade have no power to regulate hours of labour on board ship, and can only intervene if there is reason to think that the arrangements are such as to cause inefficiency or danger. In view of the information given me by the hon. Member, I have directed inquiries to be made, to ascertain whether the matter is one calling for the intervention of the Board of Trade.