asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in the inquiry now being conducted by the shipping industry, steps are being taken to ensure that reports from officers' and seamen's organisations will be considered, as well as those representing the views of the shipowners?

The inquiry to which the hon. Member refers was initiated and is being carried out by the shipowners' organisations, and deals with the position of the British shipping industry in relation to foreign competition. If the officers' and seamen's organisations also desire to submit reports to me on this question, I shall be glad to consider them.