HC Deb 22 November 1928 vol 222 cc1942-3W
Lord APSLEY

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number and percentage of foreigners serving in the British mercantile marine at the latest available date?

Mr. H. WILLIAMS

The Annual Statement of Navigation and Shipping for 1927 contains particulars of the numbers of the persons serving on all vessels over NO tons gross, registered at ports in the United Kingdom, which were engaged in sea-trading at some time during the year 1927. The crews numbered 234,036 persons, of whom 19,042 were foreigners other than lascars and 55,113 were lascars. These figures include crews engaged abroad as well as in this country. So far as the record of crews engaged at ports in this country indicate, the proportion of foreigners shown by these figures, namely 8.1 per cent., has not changed in any important degree up to the present time. The following statement gives particulars of such engagements.

"Lord Guilford," at Dunkirk, and whose body was found floating in the dock 10 days later; and, if such inquiry has been held, whether he will state the findings?

Mr. H. WILLIAMS

Edward Crewe disappeared from the steamship "Lord Guilford" at Dundalk on 27th October last, and the master reported that he was missing to the British Vice-Consul and to the French police authorities on the following day. His body was found in the dock at Dunkirk on 8th November. An inquiry was held by the French police authorities, and it was found that death was caused by accidental drowning.