§ LORD CLAUD HAMILTONasked the President of the Board of Trade, Whether it is true that the Board of Trade have issued a Minute to the Emigration Officials at Liverpool to refrain from furnishing the Press with any information respecting the movements of emigrants from that port; and, if so, what is the reason for withholding this information, so valuable to the public?
§ MR. CHAMBERLAINSir, the value of this information to the public is fully recognized, and in consequence it is now published officially, not only for Liverpool, but for all other ports. It was thought undesirable that the local officers should communicate with the Press without the knowledge of the Board of Trade, as the information which had been given was not altogether accurate.
§ LORD CLAUD HAMILTONI suppose there will be no delay in publishing it?
§ MR. CHAMBERLAINNone at all.
§ MR. MOOREWill the right hon. Gentleman state the nature of the information that the Board of Trade have directed the emigration officers to suppress?
§ MR. CHAMBERLAINThe information is with reference to the movements of emigrants. There is no intention to suppress information; but it has been thought advisable that the same information which has hitherto been given unofficially and inadequately by the local officers shall now be published officially.