§ MR. R. W. HANBURY (Preston)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to a statement by Captain Bosanquet, R.N., Inspector of Training Ships, made to the Plymouth Chamber of Commerce, to the effect that not more than 60 per cent, of the lads of the mercantile and industrial training ships ever went to sea, and a very much larger percentage only went for the first voyage, chiefly because there was no regular communication between these ships and the shipping offices of large mercantile ports, and that if a central office of this kind were established under the Board of Trade a very great difficulty would be overcome; and whether the Board of Trade intend to take any step in this direction?
§ MR. BRYCEMy attention has not been called to the suggestion referred to in the Question, but if the statement in full is sent to the Board of Trade, it shall be very carefully considerd. The whole subject is now receiving my attention.