§ 58. Mrs. Braddockasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the action of the owners of the new ship "Welsh Herald", chartered to the British Iron and Steel Corporation for 15 years, in recruiting Asiatic crews at a wage rate well below the agreed wages paid to British seamen; and, in view of the possibility of large scale unemployment of British seamen, if he will hold an inquiry into the facts and discuss the matter with the company and the National Union of Seamen.
§ Mr. WhitelawI have been told that an Asiatic crew has been recruited on the customary terms and conditions for such crews. Our officers have been in touch with the union and the Shipping Federation. At this stage the issues should first be dealt with by the shipping industry's normal machinery for discussing differences which arise between an owner or manager and the union. The services of the Ministry will be available should they be required.