§ ADMIRAL FIELD (Sussex, Eastbourne)asked the President of the Board of Trade, Whether, in view of the fact 255 that the French Government have recently brought pressure to bear upon "Chemin de Fer de l'Oest," and, through them, upon the Brighton and South Coast Railway Company, to change the present system, which has prevailed for years past, of manning with English officers and crews certain steamers trading between Newhaven and Dieppe, in favour of entirely French crews, whereby some sixty English officers and men will be discharged and deprived of their livelihood, contrary to the wishes and desires of the said Railway Companies, he will cause an inquiry to be instituted; and, if the facts as alleged are substantiated, he will make a representation to the French Government, with a view to the said demand being withdrawn, considering the large number of merchant officers and seamen unable to find employment at the present time in our Home Ports?
§ THE PRESIDENT (Mr. MUNDELLA) (Sheffield, Brightside)The Board of Trade have heard nothing whatever of the matter referred to in the hon. Member's Question; nor is it a matter that would be likely to come under our notice. I have requested the London, Brighton, and South Coast Railway Company to give me any information they can upon the subject.