HC Deb 03 July 1896 vol 42 cc660-1
MR. G. W. WOLFF (Belfast, E.)

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether, considering that portions of the Report of the Commission to inquire into the manning of the; Mercantile Marine have been published in various newspapers, he will soon let the Members of this House have the whole Report?

MR. RITCHIE

The Report of the Manning Committee was presented on Monday last and (together with the minutes of evidence, appendices and digest) is now in the hands of the printers.

SIR ARTHUR FORWOOD

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he will take measures to prevent the further passage of the Merchant Seamen (Employment Rating) Bill until he has had an opportunity of considering the Report of the Committee?

MR. RITCHIE

I have no hesitation in assuring my right hon. Friend that the Government will resist any attempt to proceed with this Bill. They consider that if legislation ought to take place on the Report of the Committee it ought to proceed from the Government.

*MAJOR JAMESON

How did the Report get into the newspapers before it was in the hands of Members of this House?

MR. RITCHIE

I have no doubt it was communicated to the newspapers.

*MAJOR JAMESON

By whom?

MR. RITCHIE

I have no idea, but I should not be surprised if it was done by the Board of Trade.

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