asked the Minister of Transport what are his regulations covering the engagement of crews for merchant ships of under two hundred tons.

No regulations have been made in regard to the engagement of crews for merchant ships, but, in accordance with the provisions of the Merchant Shipping Acts, the masters of all British sea-going merchant ships, other than ships of less than 80 tons net register trading between ports in the United Kingdom, are required to enter into a written agreement with the crew in a form approved by me. Further, the crews of all British foreign-going ships and home trade ships of 200 tons gross and over are required to be engaged and discharged before the superintendent of a mercantile marine office.