§ Wing - Commander Geoffrey Cooperasked the Minister of War Transport whether it is intended to set up a working party scheme to represent the interests of the ship owners and merchant seamen in the British shipping industry and to assist in the formulation of future policy and conditions of service.
§ Mr. BarnesThe circumstances of the shipping industry are somewhat special and do not necessarily lend themselves to this particular method. Conditions of service are already dealt with through the joint machinery of the National Maritime Board and in certain specific problems representatives of owners and officers' and seamens' societies are already co-operating with my Department. It is my desire to promote wherever possible this cooperation between both sides of the industry. On more general matters I shall always be glad to confer with both sides of the industry on appropriate occasions.
Mr. Shawcrossasked the Minister of War Transport what plans he has for the reorganisation and improvement of condi- 1060W tions of service in the Merchant Navy during peacetime.
§ Mr. BarnesConditions of service, including wages, in the Merchant Navy are matters dealt with by the National Maritime Board, which is fully representative, not only of the shipowners' organisations, but also of the officers' and men's societies.