§ Mr. McNamaraasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is satisfied that all trawlers sailing from Hull since midnight on Friday, 11th February, were fully manned; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. James Johnsonasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement regarding the adequate manning of fishing vessels leaving St. Andrews Dock, West, Hull, at the present time while the Transport and General Workers' Union have declared an official strike.
§ Mr. Goronwy RobertsThere are at present, pending the passage of the Merchant Shipping Bill now before the House, no statutory manning scales for trawlers, apart from the requirement for the carriage of certificated skippers and second hands. The Board has power to detain any ship which it considers unsafe. However, I have no reason to believe that the trawlers which put to sea from Hull since midnight Friday, 13th February were unsafe by reason of undermanning. The Board will continue to keep a close watch on the situation.
§ Mr. McNamaraasked the President of the Board of Trade how many trawlers sailing from Hull since midnight on Friday, 13th February have left without a complete steaming crew aboard and failed to give adequate notice that they were leaving, thus causing a hazard to other shipping and barges on the River Humber.
§ Mr. Goronwy RobertsI understand that by noon yesterday 21 trawlers had put to sea from Hull since midnight Friday, 13th February. I have no reason to believe that they were unsafe by reason of undermanning. Notice of their departure is not required by the Board.