§ MR. BRADLAUGH (Northampton)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether the Board invited the South Shields Branch of the Amalgamated Sailors' and Firemen's Union, having 4,916 members, to nominate two members for the Local Marine Board; whether such nomination was made; whether it has been disregarded; and if he will state the reasons; and whether he can give the name of the sailor actually appointed to the Local Board, and state whether he is a member of the South Shields Branch, and what are the grounds of his appointment?
§ * THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Sir MICHAEL HICKS BEACH,) Bristol, W.The Board of Trade did not invite the South Shields Branch of the Amalgamated Sailors' and Firemen's Union to nominate two members for the Local Marine Board of South Shields. That branch of the Union did, however, suggest the names of two of their members; and I may add that the Seamen's and Firemen's Union sent in names for a great number of ports, for some, indeed, at which there are no Local Marine Boards. I decided to appoint Mr. John Renny, who was recommended to me as an able seaman with long service in the Naval Reserve. A further ground for his appointment was that he had recently left off going to sea, and that his present occupation, namely, masting and rigging, would enable him to reside at the port and attend the meetings regularly. I am not aware whether he is a member of the South Shields Branch of the I Union or of any other Seamen's Society.