HC Deb 01 December 1931 vol 260 c953W
Mr. BEAUMONT

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of coloured seamen who are normally employed in the ships of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary and for what purpose they are necessary?

Sir B. EYRES MONSELL

The total number of coloured seamen normally employed in the ships of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Service is 554 made up as follows:

  • 382 Chinese
  • 139 Lascars
  • 33 West Indians.
Of these numbers 166 Chinese, 94 Lascars and all the West Indians are employed in vessels which are based on foreign stations for attendance on the Fleet, and do not come to this country. The remainder, namely: 216 Chinese and 45 Lascars are in vessels employed freighting oil in Eastern waters which only come to this country occasionally for repairs.