asked the President of the Board of Trade how long he has been considering the Merchant Shipping Acts and the penal clauses therein, and with what results; what other body he has now asked to consider these Acts; and if he will make a statement.

Officials have been reviewing all the provisions of the Merchant Shipping Acts affecting seamen with representatives of the shipowners' and seafarers' organisations during the past 2½ years and considerable progress has been made. No other body has been asked to consider them, but, as announced by my right hon. Friends the Prime Minister and the Minister of Labour, the Government have offered a full inquiry into all these matters.