§ Mr. Shinwellasked the Prime Minister whether he will state the reason for restricting the issue of passports to seamen to cases in which a definite journey abroad as a fare-paying passenger has been arranged; and whether instructions. 2093W will be given that seamen shall be entitled to passports under the same conditions as other British subjects?
§ Mr. ButlerIt has been found by experience that, owing no doubt to the conditions and hazards of their calling, it is difficult for seamen to ensure the safe custody of passports issued to them, and that there is in consequence an appreciable danger of their falling into the hands of undesirable persons. Seamen do not require passports for the exercise of their calling and it is therefore the practice to issue passports to seamen only when passports are necessary, that is when they are travelling as fare-paying passengers. This practice would not appear to inflict any hardship upon seamen.