§ MR. FORTESCUE FLANNERY (York, W. R., Shipley)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether certificates of competency as masters' mates and engineers are issued to foreigners without naturalisation; and whether any provision, either in the law or practice of the shipping offices exists to prevent a British ship being commanded, officered, and manned entirely by foreigners; and, if not, whether the Government will accept an Amendment of the Undermanning Bill so as to render impossible this source of danger in time of war?
§ MR. RITCHIEYes, Sir. Certificates of competency as masters' mates and engineers are issued to foreigners with the prescribed qualifications, without naturalisation and there is no provision, either in the law, or in the practice of the shipping offices, to prevent a British ship being officered and manned entirely by foreigners. I am not prepared to propose or accept an Amendment of the Undermanning Bill to altar the law in this respect.
§ SIR ARTHUR FORWOOD (Lancashire, Ormskirk)May I ask whether, in any commercial undertaking in the country, there is any law restricting the nationality of the persons employed?
§ MR. RITCHIEI believe my right hon. Friend is correct in saying that no restriction is placed upon any industry in this country in this respect.
§ MR. FLANNERYArising out of the answer of the right hon. Gentleman, may I ask if it be true that foreigners are debarred from owning British ships or any portion of a British ship by law, and if the right hon. Gentleman—
§ MR. SPEAKEROrder, order!That is a new Question altogether.