§ SIR WILLIAM HART DYKEasked the President of the Board of Trade, If, at any Conference for the purpose of considering the various provisions of the Merchant Shipping Bill, he is willing that the Thames pilots, whose interests are affected by the measure, should be represented?
§ MR. CHAMBERLAIN, in reply, said, that he had already seen a deputation of pilots—and the deputation included in its number some representatives of the Thames pilots—and it was then understood that they would prepare and forward to him a scheme of compensation, in case their interests were injuriously affected by the Bill. He promised to give that proposal careful consideration, and as soon as he had received it, if it were their wish to have a further interview, he should be very glad to have arrangements made for it before this part of the Bill was dealt with in Committee.
MR. GORSTasked, whether it is true, as was assumed in the Question, that there was going to be a conference between the right hon. Gentleman and the shipowners with reference to the Merchant Shipping Bill; and, if so, whether he would take some means to enable the seamen to have their views represented?
§ MR. CHAMBERLAIN, in reply, said, he could not give a positive answer to that Question at present; but he might say that proposals for certain Amendments in the Bill had been under the consideration of the Board of Trade, and had been by them communicated to some of the leading shipowners; and if the shipowners were desirous to see him and the Solicitor General with reference to any changes which they suggested might be made in the Bill, he should be glad to give them an interview. He should also be glad to give an interview to any persons qualified to represent the seamen on this subject.