§ MR. ADDISON (Ashton-under-Lyne)asked the President of the Board of Trade, Whether his attention has been called to the great and growing increase in the employment of Foreigners as compared with Englishmen in the British Mercantile Marine; and, whether the Government have it in contemplation to take any action in the matter?
§ THE PRESIDENT (Mr. MUNDELLA) (Sheffield, Brightside), in reply, said, information on this subject would be found in the Annual Returns of shipping statistics. The proportion of foreign seamen had increased from 4 per cent in 1851 to 16 per cent in 1884. The Government had no power to interfere.