§ SIR CHARLES DILKE (Gloucester, Forest of Dean)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade, whether it would be possible to at once present to Parliament the evidence taken by the Committee appointed by the Board of Trade on the Manning of Merchant Ships, which has been ready for presentation for many months, without waiting for the final Report of the Committee, which has been greatly delayed?
§ MR. RITCHIEI have been in communication with the Chairman of this Committee, who states that, although the formal taking of evidence came to an end some months ago, supplementary information has quite recently been furnished by members of the Committee. Sir Edward Reed has nearly completed his Draft Report, and does not advise the presentation of the evidence at present. Having regard to the difficult and complicated nature of the Inquiry, he does not share the right hon. Gentleman's opinion that there has been great delay.