HC Deb 11 June 1934 vol 290 c1354W
Sir R. GOWER

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the number of Asiatic and foreign seamen employed in British ships at the latest available date?

Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLE

The number of seamen employed in British ships is ascertained only at a date when a census of seamen is taken and the latest information relates to 15th June, 1933. On that date there were enumerated as employed in sea-trading vessels registered at ports in Great Britain, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands, 42,475 lascar seamen. (British subjects and foreigners) and 7,661 foreign seamen (other than lascars). Under the heading "lascars" are included Asiatics and East Africans employed under agreements for natives of Asia or East Africa, which open and terminate in Asia.