§ Mr. Benjamin Smithasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the annual report of the Port of London medical officer of health 1937, in which reference is made to unhygienic accommodation, inadequate provision for the storage of food, cramped living quarters, excessive hours of work, and other unsatisfactory conditions, on vessels engaged in the coasting trade; and whether, in the interests of health and hygiene, he proposes to initiate remedial action?
§ Mr. StanleyI have seen this report. The general conditions of service in the coasting trade, as in other parts of the1564W Mercantile Marine, are primarily matters for the National Maritime Board, on which employers and employed are represented. As regards crew accommodation, a very satisfactory standard for new ships was established by the revised Instructions of 1937. Every effort is being made to bring the older ships as far as practicable up to a similar standard. Close contact in this matter is maintained between the Board of Trade surveyors and the port health officers, and steady progress is being made.
§ Mr. Benjamin Smithasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the lack of proper cooking facilities on coasting vessels revealed in the report of the medical officer of health of the Port of London for 1937; and, in view of the fact that 546 officers and 765 men, when interrogated by a Port of London Health Committee inspector were overwhelmingly in favour of the employment of an experienced cook for all hands on individual coasting vessels, he will obtain the views of shipowners and those of the trade unions representing officers and men on the matter?
§ Mr. StanleyI have seen the report to which the hon. Member refers. The question whether cooks should be carried on coasting vessels is primarily one for the National Maritime Board which is fully representative of all sections of the industry, and which deals with all matters relating to the conditions of employment in the Mercantile Marine.