§ MR. HAVELOCK WILSON (Middlesbrough)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if he can state whether the Peninsular and Oriental Company's steamship Carthage is a British vessel registered in a port in the United Kingdom; Whether such steamer is subject to the provisions of the Imperial Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, with regard to accommodation for seamen as provided for under part II., section 210, of the Merchant Shipping Act; and whether part II., section 210, applies also to vessels registered elsewhere than in the United Kingdom as provided in section 261?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE (for Mr. RITCHIE)Yes, Sir; the P. and O. steamer Carthage Is a British vessel, registered at a port in the United Kingdom. The Board of Trade are advised that such steamer is generally subject to the provisions of the Imperial Merchant Shipping Act respecting accommodation for seamen, except with regard to natives of India shipped under Indian articles. But the point is not free from doubt, and is receiving consideration. The answer to the concluding paragraph of the Question is in the affirmative, subject to the exceptions provided by the section.
§ SIR C. DILKE (Gloucester, Forest of Dean)Can the right honourable Gentleman say if the President of the Board of Trade will be here next week?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF AGRICULTUREI am afraid not.
§ MR. HAVELOCK WILSONI shall put another Question on this subject.