§ SIR ROPER LETHBRIDGE (Kensington, N.)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for India whether the provisions of the Merchant Shipping Act Amendment Bill, so far as they affect foreign vessels loading or discharging in British ports, will apply (should they become law) to foreign vessels loading or discharging' in Indian ports; and, if not, whether the Secretary of State for India will call the attention of the Government of India to the point, so that British subjects, whether English or Indian, may not be put at a disadvantage?
§ *THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Sir M. HICKS BEACH,) Bristol, W.Perhaps I may be allowed to answer this question. The Bill would not apply to foreign vessels in Indian ports. It would, however, be open to the Government of India to enact analogous provisions.
§ SIR R. LETHBRIDGEArising out of that answer, I should like to ask the right hon. Gentleman who is now representing the India Office here if the Secretary of State will communicate with the Government of India upon the subject?
§ *SIR J. FERGUSSONI think my hon. Friend had better wait and see what the provisions of the Bill are.